House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers sent out a stark warning to America about the raging violence in Iraq, saying the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria could stretch their battles to U.S. soil.
“This is as dangerous as it gets,” Mr. Rogers said, during a “Fox News Sunday” show, adding that ISIS are not simple “monkey-bar terrorists” who think small.
Rather, they’re “seasoned combat veterans” with hopes at hitting the likes of Washington, D.C., or New York City, if the option presents, Newsmax reported.
One of the deeper dangers is that thousands of Westerners — including Americans — are fighting with ISIS in Iraq and in Syria, and they’re receiving training that will carry over when they return home, to Europe and America. These are the ones who could easily try a terrorist attack on U.S. soil, he said, Newsmax reported.
They want to conduct “external operations,” Mr. Rogers said. And the United States is presently allowing an “ecosystem of terrorism” to live and grow, he said.
The lawmaker suggested America try and reestablish partnerships with the Arab League, and conduct joint missions to fight al Qaeda — something he said the Arab group has been trying to do for three years, Newsmax reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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