The Associated Press reports that “CIA Director John Brennan told Congress on Thursday that the Islamic State remains ‘formidable’ and ‘resilient,’ is training and attempting to deploy operatives for further attacks on the West and will rely more on guerrilla-style tactics to compensate for its territorial losses in the Middle East.”  

“Giving the Senate Intelligence Committee an update on the threat from extremists, Brennan said Islamic State has been working to build an apparatus to direct and inspire attacks against its foreign enemies, as in the recent attacks in Paris and Brussels — ones the CIA believes were directed by Islamic State leaders.”  

“‘ISIL has a large cadre of Western fighters who could potentially serve as operatives for attacks in the West,’ Brennan said, using another acronym for the group. He said Islamic State probably is working to smuggle them into countries, perhaps among refugee flows or through legitimate means of travel.”