ISIS continues to execute its global strategy to defend its terrain within Iraq and Syria, to foster affiliates in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia, and to encourage and resource terror attacks in the wider world. 

The October 31 downing of Russia’s Metrojet 9268 and the November 14 terror attacks in Paris suggest that ISIS may be prioritizing its campaign launch disruptive terror attacks against its foreign enemies. This is a dangerous development that will have significant implications for European security and the integrity of the EU, as well as for ongoing international talks on the future of Syria.