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US Issues Worldwide Travel Alert, Warns of Paris Copycats

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As Americans make plans to travel for the holidays, the U.S. and European governments fear terrorists are making plans for more attacks.

The U.S. State Department is issuing an uncommon worldwide alert "due to increased terrorist threats." And the head of Homeland Security warns there could be more attacks like those in Paris.

"We are, and we continue to be, and we have been concerned about copycat like attacks," Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said.

The travel alert, in effect until Feb. 24, says current information suggests that jihadists with Islamic State, al Qaeda, Boko Haram, and other terrorist groups continue to plan attacks in multiple regions.

U.S. authorities said the likelihood of terror attacks will continue as members of ISIS return from Syria and Iraq, and other individuals not affiliated with terror groups engage in violence on their own.

As seen in Paris, terrorists have targeted places where crowds gather, such as sporting events, theaters, and restaurants.

"U.S. citizens should exercise vigilance when in public places or using transportation," the State Department alert said. "Be aware of immediate surroundings and avoid large crowds or crowded places. Exercise particular caution during the holiday season and at holiday festivals or events."

As threats loom both in the United States and abroad, President Barack Obama met with French President Francois Hollande at the White House Tuesday. The pair discussed how to ramp-up the fight against ISIS extremists.

The meeting comes as a new CBS poll found that 66 percent do not think Obama has a clear plan for dealing with ISIS. Many critics even suggest the French president has been stronger in dealing with terrorism than America's commander in chief.

Meanwhile, the president is dealing with another serious issue: the question of whether analysts at Central Command, which oversees Pentagon operations in the Middle East, changed assessments of the campaign against ISIS to make it appear as though the U.S. and Western partners were making more progress than they actually were.

It's a serious issue that could warrant investigation, and another problem for the president when it comes to the public's view of how he's handling terrorism.

 

 

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About The Author

Charlene Aaron
Charlene
Aaron

Charlene Aaron serves as a general assignment reporter, news anchor, co-host of The 700 Club, co-host of 700 Club Interactive, and co-host of The Prayerlink on the CBN News Channel. She covers various social issues, such as abortion, gender identity, race relations, and more. Before joining CBN News in 2003, she was a personal letter writer for Dr. Pat Robertson. Charlene attended Old Dominion University and Elizabeth City State University. She is an ordained minister and pastor’s wife. She lives in Smithfield, VA, with her husband.