Counterterrorism

Ash Carter after Brussels attacks: 'We must and will' topple ISIS

Defense Secretary Ash Carter called the deadly terrorist attacks in Belgium Tuesday a reminder that “we must and will deal a lasting defeat” to Islamic State group militants, both in the Middle East and beyond.

The comments came as authorities tried to piece together the scope of a series of bombings in the Belgian capital of Brussels which killed at least 30 and injured more than 150 individuals.

...Carter connected the two in his opening remarks at a House Armed Services Committee budget hearing Tuesday morning. Belgium is among the 26 countries in the U.S. led coalition to fight ISIL strongholds in the Middle East.

The defense secretary said the United States “stands ready to provide assistance to our friends and allies in Europe as necessary” in the aftermath of the attacks.