Tillerson: ‘Defeating ISIS Must Be Our Foremost Priority in the Middle East’

EXCERPT:

TILLERSON: "Radical Islam poses a grave risk to the stability of nations and the well-being of their citizens. Powerful digital media -- media platforms now allow ISIS, al Qaeda and other terror groups to spread a poisonous ideology that runs completely counter to the values of the American people and all people around the world who value human life. These groups are often enabled and emboldened by nations, organizations and individuals sympathetic to their cause.

These actors must face consequences for aiding and abetting what can only be called evil. Most urgent step in thwarting radical Islam is defeating ISIS. The Middle East and its surrounding regions pose many challenges which require our attention including Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. There are competing priorities in this region which must be and will be addressed. But they must not dis -- distract from our utmost mission of defeating ISIS. Because when everything is a priority, nothing is a priority. Defeating ISIS must be or foremost priority in the Middle East."