Stars and Stripes reports that “Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said Thursday that the Islamic State is now more dangerous than al-Qaida ever was, and raised the possibility airstrikes might be launched against the group in Syria.”  

“The Islamic State, which has taken over much of Iraq since June, ‘is as sophisticated and well-funded as any group that we have seen. They’re beyond just a terrorist group. They marry ideology [with] a sophistication of strategic and tactical military prowess. They are tremendously well-funded. Oh, this is beyond anything that we’ve seen,’ Hagel told reporters at the Pentagon Thursday.”