The Russian jet crash proves that the Islamic State is growing and building partnerships with other groups to broaden its terrorism activities throughout the world, retired Army Col. Derek Harvey told
Newsmax TV on Thursday.
"It's going to confirm that what we've suspected for some time: that they are growing and building capabilities and partnerships with other groups that are going to change the fundamental nature of the threat — not only in the region of the Middle East and North Africa, but also penetrating into Europe and Asia," Harvey told "Newsmax Prime" hosts J.D. Hayworth and Miranda Khan.
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He added that it was now important that intelligence officials worldwide start looking at ISIS under the general purview of terrorism versus violence that is "tied to securing the political objectives on the ground for the caliphate in the Middle East.
"The terrorism aspect and expanding their strikes into other areas is a fundamental shift that we've been looking for," he said.
Harvey is a former senior intelligence officer and adviser to Gen. David Petraeus.
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