New Homeland Security Director Jeh Johnson said the war in Syria has become a matter of homeland security due to the risks posed by US jihadists. US officials said at least 50 Americans have traveled to Syria to fight. Last week National Intelligence Director James Clapper said parts of northern Syria were becoming like Pakistan’s tribal areas, where al Qaeda, the Taliban, and other extremists have found safe havens since 2001. According to Senator Lindsey Graham, Secretary of State Kerry recently said al Qaeda is posing a real and direct threat.
