US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended Washington’s record in the global fight against terrorism, citing American operations against ISIS and al-Qaeda and pointing to US action against extremist groups in parts of Africa....
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended Washington’s record in the global fight against terrorism, citing American operations against ISIS and al-Qaeda and pointing to US action against extremist groups in parts of Africa.
Rubio said the United States had demonstrated an unmatched commitment to counterterrorism under President Donald Trump, including operations aimed at weakening terrorist networks and eliminating their leaders.
“No country in the world does more to go after terrorism than the United States,” Rubio said in an interview with India Today.
He cited the defeat of ISIS’s territorial control in the Middle East, operations against al-Qaeda and the killing of its founder, Osama bin Laden, as examples of American counterterrorism efforts.
“It’s the United States that’s gone in now and unfortunately has had to go into parts of Africa and take on these elements as well,” Rubio said.
Rubio’s remarks come as Washington continues to engage African governments over the threat posed by jihadist organisations operating across the continent, including Islamic State affiliates and al-Qaeda-linked groups.
The Sahel, which stretches across Africa south of the Sahara, has become a major centre of militant activity, with armed groups exploiting weak state control, porous borders and political instability to expand their operations.
The United States has identified preventing terrorist groups from establishing bases capable of threatening American citizens and interests as a central objective of its counterterrorism strategy in Africa.
The Trump administration has also emphasised protecting Christian communities targeted by extremist groups, while saying African partners should carry a greater share of the military burden.
Nigeria is among the countries facing persistent threats from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), particularly in the north-east, while insecurity linked to armed groups and criminal networks affects other parts of the country.
Washington and Abuja have maintained security cooperation involving intelligence sharing, military training, counterterrorism assistance and defence engagement.
In May 2026, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, held discussions with senior US officials, including Rubio, on strengthening cooperation in counterterrorism, intelligence, defence and regional security.
Both governments said they were committed to deepening collaboration to address threats in Nigeria, West Africa and the wider Sahel.
The partnership has also included US military support for Nigerian counterterrorism operations.
However, cooperation has taken place against a backdrop of diplomatic tensions over security priorities and Washington’s concerns about violence against Christian communities in Nigeria.
Nigeria has maintained that its security crisis affects people across religious lines and requires a response that addresses terrorism and other forms of armed violence.
While Rubio pointed to American successes against major terrorist organisations, the threat has not disappeared.
ISIS has lost the extensive territory it once controlled in Iraq and Syria but continues to operate through insurgent networks and affiliates in other regions.
Al-Qaeda and groups aligned with it also remain active, particularly in parts of Africa, where militants have carried out attacks against civilians, security personnel and government institutions.
The continuing violence underscores the difficulty of translating battlefield gains into lasting security, particularly where weak governance, local grievances and limited economic opportunities allow extremist groups to recruit and operate.
Rubio’s comments signal Washington’s intention to maintain counterterrorism operations and partnerships beyond the Middle East, while expecting African governments to assume greater responsibility for confronting threats within their territories.
For Nigeria and its neighbours, sustained intelligence cooperation, effective border security, regional coordination and protection of vulnerable communities will remain important components of the response.
However, the effectiveness of international military support will ultimately depend on whether it helps African countries reduce attacks, protect civilians and restore security in affected communities.
Rubio’s assertion that the United States has demonstrated the greatest commitment to fighting global terrorism reflects Washington’s position on its international role.
The continuing activity of ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliates, however, illustrates that the global campaign against extremist violence remains unfinished.