|
Trending Topics
|
Despite Clampdown on Foreign Fighters, Extremists' Ranks Swelling
(Wall Street Journal) Felicia Schwartz - The number of militants taking up arms for Islamic State and other extremist groups more than doubled in the past year, a report by the security consulting firm The Soufan Group released Monday found. "The appeal of the Islamic State appears to be as strong as before, despite - or in some cases because of - the multiplying examples of its horrific violence and increasing totalitarianism," the report said. "A search for belonging, purpose, adventure and friendship appear to remain the main reasons for people to join the Islamic State." Most recruits to Islamic State come from the Middle East, including Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Turkey. But the number of foreign fighters from Western Europe has more than doubled since June 2014, while foreign fighters from Russia and Central Asia have increased up to 300%.