ISIS on the March

Conventional wisdom among Western officials indicated ISIS was primarily interested in gaining territory for its caliphate or Islamic state.   Big bold attacks against Western targets were the hallmark of al Qaeda.  But the coordinated, multiple attacks by at least eight terrorists in Paris this weekend, as well as the suicide bombings in Beirut on Thursday and the destruction of the Russian passenger jet flying over the Sinai two weeks ago, appears to have turned that wisdom on its head. 

There is still a great deal to be learned about exactly what happened in all three incidences, but it seems apparent that ISIS played a key role, whether directly or indirectly.  It could be a game changer, raising the stakes in the battle against ISIS as the group becomes a more direct threat to the West.

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