In the run-up to the 2012 presidential election President Obama was quick to dismiss the growing threat of ISIS as a “junior varsity team”.

However, in 2016 with no reelection needed, a rather stark and somber forecast is delivered by the Department of National Intelligence head, James Clapper.

Prior to delivering testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee, James Clapper submitted a summary of intelligence analytics describing the scope of threat.

[Washington DC] In a report and briefing to a US Senate panel, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper also said the Islamic State was hiding fighters among Syrian refugees heading to Europe.

Clapper said “homegrown violent extremists” or HVEs — “the most significant Sunni terrorist threat” — may be inspired by the attacks last year on military bases in Chattanooga, Tennessee and a workplace gathering in San Bernardino, California.

They are also influenced by the IS group’s “highly sophisticated media” and by “individuals in the United States or abroad who receive direct guidance and specific direction from ISIL members or leaders.”

Separately, responding to questions from lawmakers, Clapper warned that the group had planted fighters among the thousands of Syrian civilians fleeing to neighboring countries and to Europe.

“One technique they’ve used is taking advantage of the torrent of migrants to insert operatives into that flow,” he said.  (read more)