No definite threat to U.S. following Paris attacks

No definite threat to U.S. following Paris attacks

Despite remarks made by ISIS as Washington, D.C. being the next major target, Obama’s national security team said Europe is a greater threat then the U.S.

In a statement at the Center for Strategic and International Studies forum in Washington, CIA Director John Brennan said, “I certainly would not consider it (Paris) a one-off event. It is clear to me that ISIL has an external agenda, that they are determined to carry out these types of attacks. This is not something that was done in a matter of days. This was carefully planned over the course I think of several months, in terms of making (sure) they had the operatives, the weapons and the explosives with the suicide belts. And so I would anticipate this is not the only operation that ISIL has in the pipeline.”

The President’s security team said that ISIS most likely has plans for U.S. attacks, but the threat is not as large as it may seem. This is due to the fact that thousands more ISIS militants have traveled to Syria for training and then returned to Europe. James Clapper (Director of National Intelligence) estimates forty possible ISIS members being tracked.

Also, these people may not be fighters for ISIS but instead first aid or other resources. Clapper also believes there’s no indication of attacks in the U.S. at the moment.

However, it is estimated that “hundreds”, maybe “thousands” of people follow ISIS online, according to a FBI official.

After a failed ISIS planned attack in Texas this year where both terrorists were killed before any damage was done, the FBI is said to be following “hundreds more” of ISIS “supporters”. This also led to many arrests among ISIS sympathizers and possible threats.

Two U.S. law enforcement officials told CNN that the FBI will be following ISIS supporters more closely and perform more wiretaps.

On Sunday, Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Adviser told reporters, “there is no specific, credible threat (to the U.S.).” And that U.S. law enforcement is “vigilant” in stopping any credible threats.

However, with new threats emerging everyday, the U.S. seems to be well prepared at stopping any possible threats. An ISIS video shows threats towards France, Italy, the U.S, and beyond. All of these nations have increased security in major city and landmarks.

With many holidays coming up, New York officials do not want people to be scared to visit the city for the Thanksgiving Day Parade and other festivities.

The mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio said, “the people of New York City will not be intimidated. We understand it is the goal of terrorists to intimidate and disrupt our democratic society. We will not submit to their wishes.”