I would like to welcome all of you to todays program on financing terrorism. Of the many aspects of the fight against terrorism, cutting off the financial flow is most critical. It is the oxygen that keeps these groups alive and allows them to recruit, control plan operations on the global level. It remains a top seekity for the u. S. As we to defeat the Islamic State and other terrorist groups. Arab. S. And its Gulf Partners have taken significant steps to stem the flow of funds to terrorist groups over the years, a robust effort since 9 11. However, despite the measures put in place, those organizations continue to generate income from the region to finance their activities. What more can be done regionally and globally to stem the flow of money to violent extremists . We have a very distinguished to answer the question and explore the issues related to. I am pleased to welcome our speakers juan carlos zarate, kate ba and and steveu, who wille introduce ther panel and moderate, the p