With relative impunity and unsurpassed cruelty, the Islamic State continues its egregious march across the world—from United States to Iraq and France to Indonesia. The all-powerful CIA has admitted that despite losing territory in the Middle East, the marauding jihadist group remains dangerous in much of the world.
CIA chief John Brennan informed the Congress yesterday about the most dangerous non-state actor on the globe. Islamic State refuses to be cowered and seems to be growing from strength to strength.
Brennan’s remarks should be a final wake up call for the Obamas, Putins and Bans of the world who support fighting the group by bleeding its financial resources and cutting off weapons supplies.
Stating that the IS is a global challenge, Brennan said the number of jihadist fighters now far exceeds what Al Qaeda had at its height.
He said there were 18,000 to 22,000 IS fighters in Syria and Iraq — down from about 33,000 last year. The branch in Libya, with between 5,000 and 8,000 fighters, is likely the most advanced and most dangerous, but IS is trying to gain more traction in Africa and to plot attacks in the region and in Europe.
International franchises of IS has helped consolidate its foothold in many regions, leveraging the power of the group to radicalise thousands and federalise its operations. In Nigeria, it is Boko Haram that has been terrorising an entire state machinery. The northeast of the country, including Borno, is virtually under their control.
In the Sinai, the IS has become the most active and capable terrorist group in all of Egypt, Brennan told the Senate Intelligence Committee. Fighters regularly target Egyptian military and government installations and attack foreigners and tourists. They also brought down a Russian passenger jet last October. The branch in Yemen is a potent one keeping the impoverished nation on tenterhooks.
The Libyan branch of IS has contributed to the chaos, turning the country into a virtual failed state. Foreigners including citizens of Western nations are the most worrisome part of the IS trail. They have caused carnages in France, Belgium and the United States. Brennan’s warning shouldn’t be obfuscated by an electorally-charged US. Obama’s decision not to send troops to Syria and the failure of the US administration to keep tabs on domestic sleeper cells has helped IS grow from a small group to a major non-state actor. It is time for world powers with US in the lead to launch a blitzkrieg against the IS.
With relative impunity and unsurpassed cruelty, the Islamic State continues its egregious march across the world—from United States to Iraq and France to Indonesia. The all-powerful CIA has admitted that despite losing territory in the Middle East, the marauding jihadist group remains dangerous in much of the world.
CIA chief John Brennan informed the Congress yesterday about the most dangerous non-state actor on the globe. Islamic State refuses to be cowered and seems to be growing from strength to strength.
Brennan’s remarks should be a final wake up call for the Obamas, Putins and Bans of the world who support fighting the group by bleeding its financial resources and cutting off weapons supplies.
Stating that the IS is a global challenge, Brennan said the number of jihadist fighters now far exceeds what Al Qaeda had at its height.
He said there were 18,000 to 22,000 IS fighters in Syria and Iraq — down from about 33,000 last year. The branch in Libya, with between 5,000 and 8,000 fighters, is likely the most advanced and most dangerous, but IS is trying to gain more traction in Africa and to plot attacks in the region and in Europe.
International franchises of IS has helped consolidate its foothold in many regions, leveraging the power of the group to radicalise thousands and federalise its operations. In Nigeria, it is Boko Haram that has been terrorising an entire state machinery. The northeast of the country, including Borno, is virtually under their control.
In the Sinai, the IS has become the most active and capable terrorist group in all of Egypt, Brennan told the Senate Intelligence Committee. Fighters regularly target Egyptian military and government installations and attack foreigners and tourists. They also brought down a Russian passenger jet last October. The branch in Yemen is a potent one keeping the impoverished nation on tenterhooks.
The Libyan branch of IS has contributed to the chaos, turning the country into a virtual failed state. Foreigners including citizens of Western nations are the most worrisome part of the IS trail. They have caused carnages in France, Belgium and the United States. Brennan’s warning shouldn’t be obfuscated by an electorally-charged US. Obama’s decision not to send troops to Syria and the failure of the US administration to keep tabs on domestic sleeper cells has helped IS grow from a small group to a major non-state actor. It is time for world powers with US in the lead to launch a blitzkrieg against the IS.
