Leon Panetta, ex-CIA head, on terror attack on America: ‘It’s a matter of time’

Former Defense Secretary and CIA Director Leon Panetta told a television audience that it’s only a matter of time before terrorists strike America again.

“I don’t think there’s any question,” he said during an interview for CNN’s “Fareed Zakaria GPS” program.

He said the recent attacks on Paris, Belgium and Ottawa show that terrorists are putting forth a “much more aggressive effort based on their recruiting, based on what’s happening in Syria and Iraq and Yemen,” and that the United States needs to recognize that America is very likely next on the list of terrorist targets, Newsmax reported.

“I think it’s a matter of time before they direct it at the United States as well,” Mr. Panetta said, Newsmax reported. “We’ve got to be prepared to confront that.”

Mr. Panetta served in his defense and intelligence roles under former President Bill Clinton.