The threat posed by the Islamic State (ISIS) is a "game changer" for U.S. security, said Ray Kelly, former New York City Police Department Commissioner.
Kelly told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that officials feared in particular an attack by a lone wolf terrorist, and said there had been "several of them plotting here in New York City." While none had been successful, he said it remained a "possibility."
"ISIS is a game changer, no question about it. They have resources. And, apparently, with the beheading of this French tourist, it looks like it's metastasizing to other places," Kelly said Friday.
Kelly called the risk for terrorism in the U.S. "significant," and explained "there's only so much that you can do" to prevent attacks. However, he said he knew of no "specific threats" currently planned.
"Intelligence is confusing. It's contradictory. So, you don't get that nice, wrapped package of a threat. But, it's logical to assume that New York is a target," he said.
A terrorist would see an attack in the U.S. as a "feather in their cap," Kelly explained, adding there were "no guarantees" protecting U.S. citizens, despite the volume of anti-terrorism measures officials were using to prevent attacks.
"We live in a dangerous world. And, you can see someone acting in some sort of sympathetic fashion to support ISIS," he said.
The announcement that ISIS was establishing a caliphate had been a "boon to recruitment" for the terrorist organization, Kelly said.
"(ISIS) went from 10,000 all of a sudden to 31,500. Now, people are talking about 50,000. So, something is happening there," he said.
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