A big rally in Washington for the "neglected threat", we find out who represents Croatia

A high-level diplomatic meeting convened in Washington this week has drawn global attention due to its focus on addressing what the Trump administration describes as a neglected threat: the resurgence of transnational far-left terrorism. The gathering, hosted by US Senator Marco Rubio, will bring together foreign ministers and delegations from over 70 countries, including Croatia, which is represented by Deputy Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Zdenko Lucić rather than Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman. According to internal documents obtained by ABC News and confirmed by sources within the US State Department, the summit aims to address a growing concern among security experts about the increasing use of organized, lethal violence by politically motivated extremists, particularly on the far left. The meeting comes amid heightened awareness of threats posed by groups aligned with anti-fascist ideologies, often referred to as Antifa, whose activities have been scrutinized by US authorities. A memo sent to participating governments highlights that these groups have become more globally networked and are employing coordinated tactics to achieve political objectives through intimidation and terror campaigns. This has prompted calls for international cooperation to counter such movements, which the document claims have been underprioritized despite their potential risks. Croatia’s participation underscores the country's ongoing engagement with the United States on issues related to regional security, energy resilience, and diversification of supply routes. The Croatian delegation, led by Lucić, will focus on advancing discussions aimed at joining the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) by year-end, continuing talks initiated during the recent Trieste Initiative summit held in Dubrovnik. That event brought together a large American delegation and addressed broader strategic partnerships in Southeast Europe. According to the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in Zagreb, the visit by Lucić reflects the continuity of regular political dialogue between Croatia and the United States, emphasizing shared interests and mutual commitment to strengthening cooperative relationships. The meeting with Daniel J. Lawton, deputy secretary of state responsible for European and Eurasian affairs, will center on bilateral discussions rather than the broader summit itself, according to unofficial sources. While the summit has garnered significant attention, some European diplomats have expressed skepticism regarding the emphasis placed on far-left extremism as a primary threat. One unnamed official noted that while the issue requires attention, it does not currently rank as a top priority compared to other geopolitical challenges facing the continent. Nevertheless, the inclusion of Croatia and several other European nations in the meeting indicates a willingness to engage on this topic alongside broader security concerns. The summit is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to realign national security priorities, focusing increasingly on perceived domestic and international threats from leftist extremist networks. However, critics argue that this approach may overlook the relative scale of violence committed by right-wing and jihadist actors, as highlighted by a 2025 study conducted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The research found that although far-left violence has increased in the past decade, it remains significantly lower than historical levels of violence associated with right-wing and jihadist attacks. As the summit proceeds, participants are expected to discuss strategies for enhancing international coordination against groups deemed to pose a threat through political violence. With representatives from over 70 countries attending, the event signals a broad attempt to address a complex and evolving challenge in global security policy.