Should small-town U.S.A. be worried about ISIS?
In a "CBS This Morning" Facebook Q&A, former CIA deputy director and CBS News senior security contributor Michael Morell revealed "even small cities" are at risk of an ISIS attack. He explained, "There are ISIS sympathizers across our entire country. So, one cannot assume that only big cities are at risk."
From small-town U.S.A. concerns to revealing who he thinks is "the most dangerous man in the world," Morell fielded questions on national security and the government's preparedness for a terrorist attack.
Question: How do these recent events re: ISIS affect small towns in America? We live in a small town in Indiana, should we be concerned about a local attack?
Michael Morell: There are ISIS sympathizers across our entire country. So, one cannot assume that only big cities are at risk.
Question: I have a daughter in college who is scheduled to leave after Christmas for a 10-day trip to Israel with a group. They will be visiting Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Galilee, the Dead Sea. If this were your daughter, would you be worried enough to urge her not to go?
Morell: I would allow my kids to go to Israel. I would just advise them to be careful. I would ask them not to visit the West Bank, however. I, of course, would be worried the whole time.
Question: We don't hear about Ibrahim al-Asiri anymore. He seemed like a huge threat. I'm just afraid ISIS steals the headlines and the U.S. loses focuses on finding some really bad people. Thoughts?
Morell: Great question. While we are rightfully focused on ISIS, al Qaida is making a comeback, including al Qaida in Yemen. Asiri remains a member of that group, remains the world's most sophisticated bomb maker, and remains -- in my view -- the most dangerous man on the planet.
Question: Your take on the exclusion of Syrian refugees. Do you think there is any reason to believe ISIS terrorists could be smuggled in with those people seeking asylum?
Morell: Of course. But, there are easier ways for them to get here -- using terrorists who have West European passports, for example. We actually know how to vet refugees. We did so with a large number of Iraqi refugees and none of them have ever conducted an attack here.
Read through the full Facebook Q&A here: