Terrorist Movements and the Recruitment of Arab Foreign Fighters: A History from 1980s Afghanistan to ISIS (Terrorism and Extremism Studies)

This book offers the first detailed, in-depth account of how and why some Arab foreign fighters subsequently become involved in Islamist terrorism. Drawing on a personal dataset of 3,010 Arab foreign fighters compiled using biographies, martyrdom eulogies, and postings on ‘jihadi’ websites, the book suggests that the subsequent involvement in Islamist terrorism by some Arab foreign fighters is primarily forged in the crucible of defensive jihad. Cover page Halftitle page Title page Copyright Contents List of Figures Acknowledgements 1 Is One Man’s Foreign Fighter Another Man’s Terrorist? The Central Argument of this Book The Approach Key Terms and Concepts Book Layout 2 Afghan Arabs in the Afghan Jihad: The Incubation of Modern Terrorism Introduction Afghan Arab Involvement in the 1980s Afghan Jihad The Centrality of Religion and the Ideological Narrative Kinship and Friendship Ties Expatriate Status The Epitome of an Afghan Arab – The Case of Abu Zubaydah The Post-Jihad Trajectories of Veteran Afghan Arabs Defensive Jihad in Support of Persecuted Muslims(Post-Afghan Jihad) Religious Nationalist Terrorism Against the Near Enemy Global/Transnational Islamist Terrorist Attacks Against the Far Enemy From Veteran Afghan Arabs to Global Islamist Terrorists Hanging Up the Kalashnikov Rifle – The Reintegration of Veteran Afghan Arabs Conclusion 3 Iraq: The Unintended Cultivation of a New Generation of Terrorists Introduction Background to the 2003 Iraq War The Influence of Veteran Arab Foreign Fighters and Islamist Terrorists The Concept of Ordinary Arab Foreign Fighters in Iraq The Geographic Origin of Arab Foreign Fighters in Iraq The Influence of Religion The Epitome of an Ordinary Arab Foreign Fighter in Iraq–Ahmad Abdullah al-Shaya The Trajectory from Defensive Jihad to Islamist Terrorism in Iraq The Data Grievances and Ideology Terrorist Training and Indoctrination Conclusion 4 Arab Foreign Fighters and Islamist Terrorists in Syria Introduction Terminology Background to the Syrian Insurgency Biographical Data on Arab Foreign Fighters Travelling to Syria How Ordinary were Arab Foreign Fighters in Syria? The Influence of Religion The Epitome of an Arab Foreign Fighter in Syria How Arab Foreign Fighters Become Islamist Terrorists Islamist Ideology in Syria The Islamist Ideologues The Islamist Ideology Supporting Takfir The Islamist Ideology Supporting ‘Martyrdom/Suicide’ Operations The Ideology Supporting the Targeting and Killing of Civilians Terrorist Training and Indoctrination Conclusion 5 Analysis and Reflection Introduction Analysis of Case Study Findings The Lack of Nuance Involving Self-Sacrificial(‘Martyrdom/Suicide’) Operations Why do some Arab Foreign Fighters Become Involved in Islamist Terrorism? Conclusion 6 Implications and Conclusion Introduction Implications for Policy Implications for Further Research Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index "This book offers the first detailed, in-depth account of how and why some Arab foreign fighters subsequently became involved in Islamist terrorism. Drawing on a personal dataset of 3,010 Arab foreign fighters compiled using biographies, martyrdom eulogies, and postings on 'jihadi' websites, Terrorist Movements and the Recruitment of Arab Foreign Fighters suggests that the subsequent involvement in Islamist terrorism by some Arab foreign fighters is primarily forged in the crucible of defensive jihad."-- Provided by publisher