Hagel suggests Islamic State militants pose threat to US homeland

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel addresses service members on Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia, July 9, 2014. Hagel toured the USS Tennessee during his visit and held an all-hands call where he hosted a question and answer session.
Adrian Cadiz/U.S. Air Force

By Jon Harper Stars and Stripes Published: July 9, 2014

NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE KINGS BAY, Ga. — Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on Wednesday suggested that Islamic militants who have taken control over parts of Iraq and Syria pose a direct threat to the United States.

“This country should not make any mistake on this, nor anyone in Congress: This is a threat to our country. This is a force that is sophisticated, it's dynamic, it's strong, it's organized, it's well-financed, it's competent… And it is a threat to our allies all over the Middle East, it's a threat to Europe… and it's a threat to us,” he told troops at a town hall at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga.

The insurgent group, which refers to itself as the Islamic State, has said it wants to rule over much of the Middle East. Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, told lawmakers last month that the militants did not pose a direct threat to the U.S. homeland but could at some point if left unchecked. READ MORE