Analysis: Is Syria now a direct threat to the U.S.?

During the last two weeks, Obama administration officers have signaled – from time to time deliberately, infrequently no longer – that a worst-case situation is rising in Syria. An emboldened President Bashar al-Assad has overlooked two deadlines to show over his deadliest chemical weapons. And radical extremists who’ve fought in Syria are finishing up attacks in Egypt and allegedly aspire to strike the US as well. Director of Nationwide Intelligence James R. Clapper informed members of Congress closing week that Jabhat al-Nusra, an al-Qaeda aligned team in Syria, "does have aspirations for assaults on the native land." American and Egyptian officers expressed alarm this week at indicators that Egyptians who fought in Syria have lower back dwelling to mount an insurgency.