US names its biggest threats

Washington, Feb 7: Russian aggression in Eastern Ukraine, terrorists and hackers are among threats cited in the new national security strategy document released by the White House. National Security Advisor Susan Rice fleshed out a 29-page report released Friday, in an appearance at the Brookings Institute, laying out the administration's foreign policy priorities, CNN reported. In the wake of Islamic State's (IS) potentially dubious claims that American hostage Kayla Mueller was killed in a Jordanian air-strike, Rice denounced the militant group and reaffirmed the US's commitment to "degrade and ultimately defeat" the Sunni radical group. "And with the world united in condemnation of its horrific executions, IS should know that their barbarism only fortifies the world's collective resolve," Rice said. With US officials warning of continued Russian aggression toward Ukraine in recent days, Rice said the US was still weighing whether to expand its military assistance to Ukraine to include lethal arms. Rice said the administration was clear-eyed that "the challenges ahead will surely continue to be many and great".