ISIS’ campaign to encourage and guide terrorist attacks in the West continues. So far in 2017, there have been 14 homegrown jihadi cases in America and the FBI continues to investigate cases in all 50 states.
“They [ISIS] are dangerous. I prefer them not having the caliphate, to the extent that there isn’t pressure on terrorists, to the extent they have the capacity to operate and communicate and build up their network. They present more risk to our homeland. I think we’re infinitely better off with them not having the real estate.” – CIA Director Mike Pompeo on whether ISIS is as dangerous without the territorial caliphate (July 20, 2017).
“Mosul has been reclaimed from ISIS by U.S.-backed coalition forces. This deals a major blow to ISIS operations in the region, as the city was one of their largest strongholds. Global threat levels remain high, however, as the group continues to encourage attacks abroad.
“ISIS’ branch in Afghanistan, ISIS Khorasan, was dealt a major blow when the group’s leader Abu Sayed was killed in a U.S. airstrike on the organization’s headquarters in Kunar province on July 14.
“In July Australia created a new ministry dedicated to coordinating anti-terror efforts between existing agencies. The Ministry of Home Affairs will have oversight of the Australian Federal Police, Australian Security Intelligence Organization, and the Australian Border Force. The ministry will also have an intelligence coordinating body, as well as an around-the-clock cyber security department.
