鈥淥h, this is beyond anything that we鈥檝e seen,鈥� Hagel responded when asked that question last month. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e beyond just a terrorist group 鈥� they marry ideology, a sophistication of strategic and tactical military prowess. They are tremendously well-funded.鈥�
The territorial ambitions of IS include taking over 鈥淟ebanon, the current state of Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, and Kuwait,鈥� Dempsey added. 鈥淚f they were to achieve that vision, it would fundamentally alter the face of the Middle East and create a security environment that would certainly threaten us in many ways.鈥�
鈥淪o,鈥� Hagel added, 鈥渨e must prepare for everything. And the only way you do that is that you take a cold, steely, hard look at it 鈥� and get ready.鈥�
