U.K. official: British Muslims fighting for the Islamic State far surpasses those in armed forces

“If you look across the whole of the country (UK), and the various communities involved, 500 going over each year would be a conservative estimate,” Khalid Mahmood, the MP for Perry Barr in Birmingham, told the magazine. Mr. Mahmood believes that there are at least 1,500 British Muslims now fighting in the Middle East on behalf of the terrorist organization. The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense tallies the number of Muslims in the British armed forces at 600, Newsweek reported."

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There seems to be a difference of opinion between the White House and the pentagon, as to the severity of the ISIS threat. Contrast the statements by Secretary Hagel: ISIS threat is "beyond anything we've ever seen" and President Obama milder "A group like ISIL has no place in the 21st century".



What is your ISIS threat assessment and who do you believe is closer to the truth? Bearing in mind the Iraq war, which was triggered by the post 9/11 assessment.