US hosts anti-extremism conference

Military force alone cannot stop violent extremism, US Vice President Joe Biden said at the start of a three-day international conference, which opened on Tuesday. Minority communities must feel they are part of and have a stake in society, Biden told the elected officials, community leaders and religious figures gathered at the White House.

"National security flows from a sense of community," Biden said. The experience of the US as a country of immigrants didn't mean it had "all the answers," but it did have advice to offer to nations for which large-scale immigration is a relatively recent phenomenon. The first day of the summit focused on community issues, while more international themes were will be discussed on Wednesday and Thursday.

"Alternatives" to extremism

The issue of fighting extremism and terrorism at home has taken on renewed significance in light of recent attacks in Paris and Copenhagen, as well as terrorist groups like "Islamic State" (IS) recruiting radicalized Muslims from abroad to fight in Iraq and Syria.

The conference, which includes delegates from 60 countries, the United Nations and the European Union, will concentrate on preventing disaffected young people from joining terrorist groups by offering "affirmative alternatives" to extremism.

In his remarks, Biden praised Boston, Los Angeles and Minneapolis as examples of cities moving ahead with programs to hinder local extremism. He said the goal was to bring together different communities so that all Americans, but particularly Muslims, feel like "we see them."

President Barack Obama will address the conference on both Wednesday and Thursday. Secretary of State John Kerry and National Security Advisor Susan Rice are also scheduled to speak. Panel discussions will tackle the issues of economic opportunity, the use of social media, and the role of women and youth.

es/sms (AP, dpa)