Cameron and Obama: 'We will defeat extremists'

Prime Minister David Cameron and US President Barack Obama have vowed a united front against the threat posed by Islamist extremists and their "distorted ideology."

In a joint opinion article that appeared in Times, Cameron and Obama outlined the principles of the US-British alliance ahead of two days of White House meetings.

The two leaders are to have a working dinner on Thursday night and hold more talks on Friday.

Obama and Cameron, noting the Paris attacks last week against a satirical newspaper, said extremists would not muzzle freedom of speech.

"Whether we are facing lone fanatics or terrorist organisations such as al-Qaeda, Islamic State or Boko Haram, we will not be cowed by extremists. We will defeat these barbaric killers and their distorted ideology," the leaders wrote.

Obama and Cameron were also firm in their resolve to stand up against Russia's aggression in Ukraine. They pledged to maintain diplomatic pressure on Moscow.

The United States and Europe have imposed a variety of sanctions against Russia in retaliation.

"If we allow such fundamental breaches of international law to go unchecked, we will all suffer from the instability that would follow. Our strong and united response has sent an unmistakable message that the international community will not stand by as Russia attempts to destabilise Ukraine," they wrote.

related articles
West must open its eyes to reality facing Middle East Christians
West must open its eyes to reality facing Middle East Christians

Chaldean Catholic Head says Christians are 'integral part of national Arab tissue'

Iraq crisis: Muslims will suffer just as much as Christians
Iraq crisis: Muslims will suffer just as much as Christians

Following the horrifying scenes coming out of Iraq, we must be careful not to only focus on the plights of Christians, writes Jeremy Moodey.

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev says tensions between US and Russia are \'extremely dangerous\', calls for summit
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev says tensions between US and Russia are 'extremely dangerous', calls for summit

The former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has called upon the US and Russia to hold a summit to improve ties as he warned that the status quo could be detrimental.

Ukrainian separatists attack government forces despite ceasefire
Ukrainian separatists attack government forces despite ceasefire

President says the country has had its worst year since the end of World War Two.

Islamist extremists hack Yorkshire church and school websites

Hackers have targeted a Danish church and a primary school in Yorkshire.

Islamic State must be wiped out - French defence minister
Islamic State must be wiped out - French defence minister

Islamic State fighters must be wiped out, France's defence minister said on Tuesday, indicating that Paris would not pull back from military operations overseas.

Fox News host criticised for terrorist rant: \'We need to kill them all\'
Fox News host criticised for terrorist rant: 'We need to kill them all'

Controversial Fox News host Jeanine Pirro has come under fire for a televised rant in which she said: "We need to kill them. We need to kill them – the radical Muslim terrorists hell-bent on killing us."

News
European hate speech laws are ‘dangerous’, says politician prosecuted for Christian beliefs
European hate speech laws are ‘dangerous’, says politician prosecuted for Christian beliefs

At a time when “language has become a battlefield” and the meaning of words is being changed, Mrs Räsänen said that such laws were shutting down important debates. 

Is religion making a comeback among young Americans? Study urges caution
Is religion making a comeback among young Americans? Study urges caution

New research from Pew Research Center suggests that while there are encouraging signs of religious engagement among younger adults, the evidence of a broader resurgence remains inconclusive.

Calls for inquiry into Queensland assisted suicide system
Calls for inquiry into Queensland assisted suicide system

Despite the rise in deaths, the watering down of safeguards has been proposed.

Justin Welby says government reparations for slavery a ‘moral evil’
Justin Welby says government reparations for slavery a ‘moral evil’

Welby was supportive of Project Spire during his time as Archbishop of Canterbury.