Robin Simcox, Research Fellow at The Henry Jackson Society, testified before the Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence in Washington D.C. today regarding the threat posed to the West by returning jihadists.
In light of the announcement of the new Islamic Caliphate, covering an area the size of Jordan across Iraq and Syria, it is clear that the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) poses an ever-increasing threat to regional stability as well as Western national security. Detailing the spread of ISIS and their links to terrorist attacks in London, Stockholm and Brussels, Simcox warned that the West needs to improve its measures aimed at countering jihadists returning from Iraq, Syria and other conflict zones.
Speaking of a “shared challenge”, Simcox warned that inactivity against ISIS from London and Washington is not an option. In particular, both countries must press ahead with plans to prosecute those who have attempted or successfully joined up with, fundraised for and/or received training from terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria. Monitoring returning fighters and the potential removal of citizenship will be other essential tools in this fight.
Robin Simcox’s testimony can be viewed by clicking on the video below:
Robin Simcox’s written testimony to the Committee on Homeland Security can be downloaded here.