Bay Area residents concerned about terrorism and ISIS flocked to a sold out World Affairs Council talk called "Understanding ISIS" in San Francisco.
The event was held Monday and featured author Adbel Bari Atwan speaking from London via Skype. Atwan, who is also a journalist, released the book "The Islamic State." He said ISIS makes Al Queda look amateur and that the organization is made up of many leaders from Saddam Hussein's army.
Atwan during the event also said ISIS members sell oil for money, have United States and Russian weapons, and communicate globally on social media.
"They are no reliant on mainstream media," Atwan said. "With a push of a button they reach all corners of the world, communicating with sympathizers and enemies."
Atwan said the growing ISIS offers stability to sympathizers in territories of Syria and Iraq.
The United States and Russia are also strategizing. Atwan believes ISIS can be dismantled, but warns that must be the beginning of the mission.
"They defeated Saddam Hussein," Atwan said. "They have a Plan A, not a Plan B."
