The U.S. Needs to Be Prepared for Next ‘Wave’ of Terrorism

[Geee]

Heritage Foundation:

Things seem to go from bad to worse in the blood-soaked Middle East, Civil war still rages in Syria, even as ISIS gobbles up swaths of Iraq and Syria.

 

After years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, many Americans are tempted to wash their hands of the region. But that would be a huge mistake. What happens in those far-off lands can have a huge impact here at home.

 

The conflict roiling Syria and Iraq will not stay confined within those borders for long. The warring parties have global plans and ambitions.

 

Al Qaeda and ISIS have diligently recruited U.S. and European citizens to fight in the Middle East. U.S. officials report at least 70 Americans are currently fighting for these Islamist groups in Syria or Iraq. Just last May, a U.S. citizen, Moner Mohammad Abu-Salha, conducted a suicide bombing in Syria. Earlier this month, the FBI arrested a Colorado woman seeking to join ISIS and wage jihad. British officials are even more worried. A large number of jihadis have already returned home to the U.K. from the killing fields of the Middle East.

 

And this is the great worry of Western nations. As terrorists return home, they are likely to bring with them a desire to continue their “holy war” against values that we hold dear. The former head of NATO, Admiral James Staviridis warned this month “ISIS ‘jihadists’ will target western nations next.” U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and other U.S. intelligence officials also have spoken openly of the danger returning terrorists pose to the U.S. and our allies.