Summary
The joint report of HSPI and SNDC surveys the sources, destinations and impact of Western jihadi foreign fighters. It also highlights key bridge figures who act as catalysts for radicalization and recruitment. The authors identify key vulnerabilities in the foreign fighter network, arguing that more must be done to exploit the security challenges faced by global jihadists.
Contents
1. Introduction – 2. Western foreign fighters: a complex system – 3. The “Spin”: model and complex systems analogy – 3.1. The SPIN model applied to al-Qaeda – 4. Interconnections across theatres – 4.1. Training – 4.2. Pipelines – 5. Impact of individuals – 5.1. Bridge figures – 5.2. Jihadist ‘rockstars’ – 5.3. The fighter – 5.4. Foreign fighter veterans – 6. Radicalization – 6.1. Travel and radicalization – 6.2. Recent findings – 6.3. Media – 6.4. Current research shortcomings – 7. Future trends and scenarios – 8. Adversary vulnerabilities and recommendations – 9. Conclusions.