Dempsey talks refugee migration, regional extremism while in Rome - Europe - Stripes: The U.S. Joint Chiefs chairman and Italian officials said Monday that Washington and Rome share concerns about extremists entering Italy’s south at a time of record migration into the country from the Middle East and North Africa.
The U.S. has warned in the past about the possible flow of foreign fighters through Europe’s southern flank. European governments are increasingly worried about their own citizens who have traveled abroad to train with terrorist groups and then return home. The recent attacks in Paris and the thwarted attacks in Belgium have underscored those concerns.
Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey met with Italian Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti and Chief of Defense Adm. Luigi Binelli Mantelli on Monday. He was joined by U.S. Ambassador to Italy John R. Phillips.
The meeting included discussions about U.S. and allied operations against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.
Dempsey noted the influx of migrants into Italy from unstable regions to the east and south. Both sides expressed concern that foreign fighters may also try to enter Italy or other parts of Southern Europe, according to a Defense Department release. Dempsey said countries in the Middle East and North Africa should be a part of any discussion about extremism.
