White House prioritizes anti-corruption efforts in national security policy

Washington — The White House announced Thursday that it will be implementing anti-corruption efforts as a key part of its national security agenda, with President Biden directing agencies to conduct a review of efforts to combat corruption abroad and provide a report within six months with recommendations for further action.

"Corruption threatens United States national security, economic equity, global anti-poverty and development efforts, and democracy itself. But by effectively preventing and countering corruption and demonstrating the advantages of transparent and accountable governance, we can secure a critical advantage for the United States and other democracies," Mr. Biden said in a memorandum released on Thursday. The memo reaffirms the administration's commitment to "combat all forms of illicit finance in the United States and international financial systems" and "hold accountable corrupt individuals, transnational criminal organizations, and their facilitators" through sanctions and the pursuit of legal action. It also directs agencies to work with international organizations to combat corruption.