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Former CIA director talks terrorism in wake of Paris attacks

Posted at 10:14 PM, Nov 17, 2015
and last updated 2015-11-17 22:52:19-05

WEST MICHIGAN -- As France and the rest of the world continues to try and recover from the Paris terror attacks, we're learning authorities may be looking for two suspects tied to the bombings and shootings.

There were 129 people killed, and hundreds wounded. Now France and the rest of the world are on high alert.

FOX 17's Cassandra Arsenault got a unique persepective in the fight against ISIS from four-star general and former CIA Director, David Petraeus.

Petraeus said the recent attacks are a "game changer in the war against the Islamic state" and it's time for the United States to reassess.

The carnage in Paris is not forgotten as the victims are honored in the streets of Paris with memorials.

It's a ripple effect felt around the world.  Overseas, a soccer game between Germany and the Netherlands called off due to bomb threats on Tuesday ninety minutes before kick off.

In the United States, terminal 3 in O'Hare Airport was on high alert after a bag was left behind. It triggered a police presence and also kept passengers away. In both instances, no one is taking any chances.

"Well what took place on Friday—those terrible attacks in Paris where some 140 French citizens were killed in barbaric attacks. This, I think, is a game changer in the war with the Islamic state," said Petraeus.

"I  have termed Syria a geo political Chernobyl that is spewing violence, instability,  extremism, and refugees not just in the mid-eastern region,  not just in neighboring countries, but now of course reaching well into Europe. I think the combination of these attacks not to mention the attack in Sinai that bombed a Russian plane, the attacks in Lebanon, the attacks in some other countries, show clearly that the Islamic state has not been contained."

Petraeus said our fight against terrorism is not over by a long shot.

"My sense is that we are not where we should be in the fight against the Islamic state. We are making progress in Iraq. We are taking out individual key leaders in Syria and Iraq. We have inflicted enormous damage on the Islamic state."

Petraeus said the recent attacks in Paris, Lebanon, and on the Sinai aircraft give a unified message.

"We are not where we should be, and I think this is a moment where we have to do an assessment and ask a number of questions."

As Paris stands strong, and remembers each victim who was brutally taken away from their loved ones, Petraeus says there's no doubt the French will have the United States to lean on during this difficult time.

"These are our NATO allies. Longest standing friends and partners, and again, I know, the national security team is weighing every option to determined what more might be done."

Petraeus said some of the things he believes the President and National Security are reviewing right now are questions like: What is the military campaign? What is the idea of the missions? Is it appropriate? Do they have the right organizational architecture? Do we have the right resources?

Petraeus says in many cases, the President and National Security are probably answering "no" or partly "no" to these questions, basically examining all options.

It's worth mentioning that Patraeus was touted a potential presidential candidate before he was sentenced to 2-years probation, and ordered to pay $100,000 fine for sharing classified information with his biographer, and lover, Paula Broadwell. He resigned as CIA Director in 2012.