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From Mass Graves to Puppy Bombs, ISIS Is Fueling Trump's Big Buildup

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President Donald Trump's plan to increase defense spending by $54 billion comes as his administration faces a number of foreign policy challenges around the globe.

In the Middle East, ISIS continues on its path of death and destruction. The president says defeating the group and keeping Americans safe at home and abroad is a top priority.
 
"The Department of Defense presented its preliminary plan to the White House today to defeat ISIS," Sean Spicer, White House press secretary, told reporters Monday.

"This plan has been delivered by Secretary Mattis, who is currently breaking the principals on the option presented today and seeking their input and feedback," he said.
 
Over the weekend, a 1,300-foot giant sinkhole was discovered in the Iraqi desert believed to be the site where ISIS shot, then dumped up to 4,000 bodies.
 
Most of the victims were killed execution-style, with their hands bound and their eyes blindfolded.

Also, ISIS is reportedly using puppies as suicide bombers. Video has emerged allegedly showing ISIS fighters strapping an explosive belt to a puppy and planning to remotely detonate the device.

Fortunately, Iraqi forces were able to rescue the dog and defuse the bomb.
 
Meanwhile, west of Iraq, Iran's influence continues to grow in the region. Almost two years after signing a deal to curb its nuclear ambitions, the ayatollahs, flush with billions of dollars from the agreement, are still testing their missiles... and exporting their terror tactics.
 
"For too long Iran has been funneling weapons and cash to their terrorist minions in places like Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip," said Vice President Mike Pence. "They've gone to great lengths to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, and due to the disastrous end of the nuclear-related sanctions under Iran, they now have even more resources to devote to these efforts."
 
And there's also the nuclear threat from another rogue regime: North Korea. Experts, like former CIA Director James Woosley, warn that it's perilous to underestimate the communist country's atomic arsenal.
 
Two weeks after the North conducted a ballistic missile test, Woosley believes the country's weapons are likely "more advanced and dangerous."
 
Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis recently warned North Korea that America's commitment to defending her allies in the region is "iron clad."
 
"Any attack on the United States, or our allies, will be defeated, and any use of nuclear weapons would be met with a response that would be effective and overwhelming," Mattis said.
 
Meanwhile, the U.S. faces potential threats from countries like China and Russia as well.
 
These and other hotspots make for a chaotic, dangerous landscape around the world as Trump begins his presidency.

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About The Author

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George
Thomas

Born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and of Indian descent, CBN News’ Senior International Correspondent and Co-Anchor, George Thomas, has been traveling the globe for more than 20 years, finding the stories of people, conflicts, and issues that must be told. He has reported from more than 100 countries and has had a front-row seat to numerous global events of our day. George’s stories of faith, struggle, and hope combine the expertise of a seasoned journalist with the inspiration of a deep calling to tell the stories of the people behind the news. “I’ve always liked discovering & exploring new