Retired Gen. Frank McKenzie Warns of Growing ISIS Threat
In a recent interview, former head of US Central Command, retired Gen. Frank McKenzie, issued a stark warning about the intentions of the Islamic State (ISIS) to launch attacks against the United States and its allies.
ISIS’s Recent Attacks and Growing Threat
McKenzie highlighted ISIS’s recent attacks in Moscow and Iran, emphasizing the increasing threat posed by the terror group and its affiliates. He urged the global community to take the terrorist organization’s threats seriously, stating, “We should believe them when they say that. They’re going to try to do it.”
Threat Post US Withdrawal from Afghanistan
McKenzie noted that the threat has been growing following America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, stating, “It began to grow as soon as we left Afghanistan. It took pressure off ISIS-K.” He warned that attacks against the US are “inevitable,” and further attempts can be expected against the United States, its partners, and other nations abroad.
Impact of US Exit from Afghanistan
McKenzie criticized the complete withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, arguing that maintaining a small presence could have prevented the resurgence of extremist groups in the region. He highlighted the importance of maintaining pressure on extremist groups in their homelands to prevent large-scale attacks.
Concerns Over Recent Moscow Attack
Addressing the recent terror attack in Moscow, McKenzie suggested that the Russians could have averted the attack if they had heeded the information provided by the US. He expressed concerns about self-radicalization as a dangerous method used by ISIS to generate attacks.
Recruitment Tactics of Extremist Groups
McKenzie warned about the tactics employed by groups like ISIS-K, including influence campaigns, online methods, and in-person training for recruitment purposes.