Meet the Shadow Warrior Leading the Fight Against the Islamic State
At Foreign Policy, Seán D. Naylor profiles Major General Mike Nagata, the leader of special operations for U.S. Central Command credited with predicting the rise of the Islamic State as early as 18 months ago. A “different” kind of general, Nagata fought Islamist extremism in countries like Pakistan, Iraq, and Somalia for 23 years but is equally comfortable advising congressional committees and policymakers, Naylor writes. “Nagata is now facing arguably the greatest challenge of his career: command of the task force that has the mission to train moderate Syrian rebels well enough to prevent an Islamic State victory in Syria.”