A new policy report by Fred and Kim Kagan (developers of the so-called "surge" strategy in Iraq around a decade ago) charges that the al-Qaeda offshoot in Syria, Jabhat al-Nusra, poses a greater threat to the United States in the long-term than the Islamic State (ISIS) does.
"Any strategy that leaves Jabhat al-Nusra in place will fail to secure the American homeland," the report warns.
Published by American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for the Study of War the report posits that Nusra is "much more dangerous to the U.S. than the ISIS model in the long run."
"While ISIS is flashier ... both represent an existential threat, both wish to attack the homeland, both seek the mobilization of Muslim communities against the West," Kim Kagan told CNN.
However Nusra is more dangerous in their view since, unlike ISIS, it "is quietly intertwining itself with the Syrian population and Syrian opposition ... they are waiting in the wings to pick up the mantle of global jihad once ISIS falls."
"Right now," she continued, "al-Nusra has decided not to overtly host attack cells because the al-Qaeda leadership's priority is preserving success in Syria and avoiding being targeted by the U.S."
"We define a threat as having the capability and the intent. ... The capability is already there, and in time the intent will be as well," they warned.
"Any strategy that leaves Jabhat al-Nusra in place will fail to secure the American homeland," the report warns.
Published by American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for the Study of War the report posits that Nusra is "much more dangerous to the U.S. than the ISIS model in the long run."
"While ISIS is flashier ... both represent an existential threat, both wish to attack the homeland, both seek the mobilization of Muslim communities against the West," Kim Kagan told CNN.
However Nusra is more dangerous in their view since, unlike ISIS, it "is quietly intertwining itself with the Syrian population and Syrian opposition ... they are waiting in the wings to pick up the mantle of global jihad once ISIS falls."
"Right now," she continued, "al-Nusra has decided not to overtly host attack cells because the al-Qaeda leadership's priority is preserving success in Syria and avoiding being targeted by the U.S."
"We define a threat as having the capability and the intent. ... The capability is already there, and in time the intent will be as well," they warned.
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