WASHINGTON
High-level government representatives from anti-Daesh coalition countries will begin a U.S. exchange program this week to discredit the militants, the U.S. said Monday.
"This exchange provides opportunities to enhance international cooperation to counter violent extremism through substantive discussions between the participants and U.S. officials, private sector messaging and branding experts, and non-governmental and community actors," the State Department said in a press release.
During the two-week program, participants from Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia will "examine ways to strengthen counterterrorism communication activities and associated programs," with the help of leading technology and communications companies.
President Barack Obama has been a strong advocate of fighting against Daesh’s ideology. "We have to confront squarely and honestly the twisted ideologies that these terrorist groups use to incite people to violence," he said in February at the close of a White House summit on countering violent extremism.
The U.S. currently leads a coalition of about 60 countries against Daesh in Iraq and Syria. Measures include airstrikes, and a train and equip missions for local forces.
