Plot against US, France brings threat posed by IS close to home

Americans have watched with horror as fighters from the extremist group Islamic State have carved a path of death and destruction in Syria and Iraq. But they’ve stopped short of taking to the streets and demanding the annihilation of the terror organization.

Why? Because this country has grown weary of war after 13 years of military excursions in Afghanistan and Iraq. And because Islamic State militants have targeted perceived enemies in the Middle East. Until now.

On Thursday, Iraq’s prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, said his country’s intelligence agency had uncovered a plot for an attack on subway systems in the United States and France.

More significantly, al-Abadi said that the attacks were to be carried out by extremists from the U.S. and France who are fighting for the Islamic State group in Iraq.

“Today, while I’m here I’m receiving accurate reports from Baghdad that there were arrests of a few elements, and there were networks from inside Iraq to have attacks ... on metros of Paris and U.S. They are not Iraqis. Some of them are French, some of them are Americans. But they are in Iraq.”

The prime minister was in New York for a gathering of world leaders at the United Nations.

RESPONSE BY US,ALLIES

The Islamic State extremists’ blitz prompted the United States to launch airstrikes in Iraq last month to aid Kurdish forces who were battling the militants and to protect religious minorities.

In response to President Barack Obama’s warning to the Middle East of IS’ goal of establishing a caliphate, five Arab nations — Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain and Qatar — have joined or are supporting the U.S.-led airstrikes against IS targets in Syria. Airstrikes also are aimed at IS fighters who have taken control of parts of Iraq.

President Obama is adamant that the U.S. will not bolster its air campaign with ground troops, which is the right position considering the cost in terms of lives lost, injuries and dollars of the Afghanistan and Iraq invasions, and subsequent occupation.

However, in light of the revelation of the plot by American and French adherents of Islamic State to cause death and destruction in their homelands, there must be a new sense of urgency to neutralize the extremists.

Given that there are Americans who would have no qualms about joining the terror organization — this after two journalists from the U.S. were beheaded by an IS militant and the evil acts memorialized on video — the White House and Congress must find a way not only to round up the known Islamic extremists in this country but to convince those who would do us harm that the full weight of the law will come down on them.

It is ironic that individuals who enjoy all the benefits of living in a free country would show their gratitude and loyalty by wanting to do their fellow men and women harm.

If these American and French nationals who seek to bomb the subway systems are so unhappy being free, they should leave and take up residence in one of the many countries in the Middle East where a misspoken word can get them killed.

These individuals are undeserving of our understanding or sympathy. They are traitors who deserve to have the book thrown at them.