We are well aware of the plight of religious minorities in Iraq and Syria since the declaration of a caliphate by ISIS earlier this year, but what is the terror group's capability to carry out an attack against the United States? On Wednesday's Glenn Beck Program, Princeton University professor and vice chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Robert George joined Dana to discuss the threat.
Dana began by asking George what kind of force ISIS is capable of exerting. While George says he has seen no reliable intelligence suggesting the group has already obtained chemical or biological weapons, he does believe they have every intention of acquiring weapons of mass destruction.
"We know they have every intention of obtaining biological and chemical weapons," George explained. "That is another reason for us to stop them now. We're going to have to fight them eventually. Do you want to do it now in Iraq, or do you want to wait until they are carrying out terrorist activity within the United States? I say let's do it now."
Despite the sense of urgency, George does believe there is a way to avoid putting boots on the ground in Iraq and Syria. It will require the U.S. to provide the necessary aide to the forces that are already fighting in the region.
"I believe that if we supply the Kurdish forces, the Sunni tribesman, the other local forces that are fighting ISIS, and if we back them up with airstrikes - our airstrikes, so far, have been every effective," he said. "But if we do that, I think we will not be required to send more than that kind of advisory force we have there now. However, if we delay, if we don't do that, eventually we will send boots on the ground."
What is unique about the ISIS threat is its unrelenting persistence and its track record of following through on threats. While the American people are - rightfully so - weary of war and weary of military intervention, George pleaded with viewers to be "realistic" about the enemy we currently face.
"We are talking about mass murderers who are very good at what they do and are very committed to doing it," George said. "They have every intention of getting here, and these are people who achieve what they set out to achieve - unless someone stops them… They have threatened to carry out activity in the United States."
"I plead with you. Believe me. I want your listeners to believe me," he continued. "These people will do it if they can, and they will be able to do it unless we stop them."