Retired Gen. Frank McKenzie, the former head of U.S. Central Command, issued a warning about the Islamic terror group ISIS and their strong desire to attack the U.S. and other foreign powers. He emphasized that U.S. officials should take this threat seriously, especially after recent attacks claimed by ISIS-K in Moscow and Iran. McKenzie believes that the threat from ISIS has been growing, particularly following the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, which allowed the group to regroup and plan attacks.
McKenzie highlighted the importance of maintaining a military presence in Iraq and Syria to combat extremist groups in the region. He criticized the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, stating that this decision has left the U.S. with little ability to monitor or strike terrorist groups in the region. McKenzie believes that keeping pressure on these groups in their home bases is crucial to preventing large-scale attacks, and that the lack of presence in Afghanistan has allowed groups like ISIS to gain strength and plan coordinated attacks.
The recent deadly attack in Moscow underscored the threat posed by terror groups and their ability to plan large-scale operations. McKenzie noted that despite the dangers, efforts by these groups are often detectable, and there may have been opportunities to avert the attack in Moscow if proper intelligence had been heeded. He also raised concerns about the potential for ISIS-K terrorists to enter the U.S. and carry out attacks, particularly given the chaos at the southern border. The U.S. authorities have warned that an attack on U.S. soil is a definite possibility.
European leaders have also sounded the alarm about the prospect of war, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urging European nations to increase their investment in defense. Tusk warned that Europe is not prepared for the current “prewar era,” pointing to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as evidence of the real threat of conflict. Swedish defense officials have also raised concerns about the potential for war, especially as Sweden moves closer to joining NATO. The idea of war, once considered a thing of the past, is now a very real possibility in Europe.
McKenzie’s comments highlight the ongoing threats posed by terrorist groups like ISIS and the need for vigilance and a strong military presence to combat these threats. The warnings from European leaders about the prospect of war serve as a stark reminder of the volatile geopolitical landscape and the need for increased defense preparedness. The recent attacks in Moscow and Iran demonstrate the ability of terror groups to plan and execute large-scale attacks, underscoring the importance of intelligence sharing and cooperation among nations to prevent future attacks.
