Today the @NYTimes posted a teaser making it sound as if “radicalized young Muslim Americans” are “flowing” into Syria to join the fight there. Flowing?

The article itself indicates that “American law enforcement and intelligence officials say more than 100 Americans have gone to Syria, or tried to so far.” Let’s do the math. In a conflict spanning 3 1/2 years, about 100 Muslim Americans have gone, “or tried to”. In 42 months, it amounts to 2-3 persons per month traveling, or trying to travel, to Syria. Less than one a week. More of a trickle than a flow. The article itself acknowledges this a small number.

I raise the issue here after calling the grand Grey Lady on it. They chose not to post my comment on their web page.

Here’s the part I take exception to, my emphasis underlined:

“The Obama administration is redoubling its efforts to stanch the flow of radicalized young Muslim Americans traveling to Syria to join the fight and potentially returning as well-trained militants to carry out attacks here.

American law enforcement and intelligence officials say more than 100 Americans have gone to Syria, or tried to so far. That number of Americans seeking to join militants, while still small, was never seen during the two major wars fought in Afghanistan and Iraq…”