ISIL Presents ‘The Most Diverse Array of Threats’ in a Long Time
Australian police conducted multiple raids Thursday to capture suspected Islamic extremists. According to Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, there were direct instructions “coming from an Australian who is apparently quite senior in ISIL to networks of support back in Australia to conduct demonstration killings” in the Land Down Under. Meanwhile, there are many American Islamists now actively serving with ISIL in the Middle East. They have significant networks of support back in the United States, and, in fact, there are now law enforcement bulletins warning of ISIL attacks on U.S. soil. According to CIA Director John Brennan, the Australian news is “just one more demonstration that this is an internal challenge” and it’s “going to be with us for a generation.” Director of National Intelligence James Clapper added, this environment “is composed of the most diverse array of threats and challenges as I’ve seen in my 50-plus years in the [intelligence] business.”