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New York Times: ISIS or Al Qaeda? American Officials Split Over Top Terror Threat
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration’s top intelligence, counterterrorism and law enforcement officials are divided over which terrorist group poses the biggest threat to the American homeland, the Islamic State or Al Qaeda and its affiliates.
The split reflects a rising concern that the Islamic State poses a more immediate danger because of its unprecedented social media campaign, using sophisticated online messaging to inspire followers to launch attacks across the United States.
Many intelligence and counterterrorism officials warn, however, that Qaeda operatives in Yemen and Syria are capitalizing on the turmoil in those countries to plot much larger “mass casualty” attacks, including bringing down airliners carrying hundreds of passengers.
WNU Editor: I would add Iran to this mix .... and I would label them as the most dangerous. Iran's strategic goals, resources, and allies far dwarf what Al Qaeda or the Islamic State could ever hope of assembling .... but in today's world .... the West has chosen to turn a blind eye to what the Iranian mullahs have done, are doing, and will do.
Update: This is a good analysis .... Islamic State v al-Qaeda: the battle within jihad (The Telegraph).
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