The role of western fighters in terrorist groups like the Islamic State is increasingly prominent. Terrorism experts say Westerners are gravitating to these groups in part because of battlefield successes by insurgents.
The increase in westerners participating in terror groups concerns terrorism experts. They now say hundreds of fighters from Europe, North America and Australia have gone to Syria since the war began there.
Experts also say such groups may attract some young people who have a void in their lives and are looking for a cause.
The biggest threat this poses to western countries is that these terror group recruits may return to their homelands with the skills they have picked up overseas.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill says while that is a concern, the arrest of terrorist suspects by U.S. security services is reassuring. “I think they do a lot to keep us safe,” Hill said. “They will have challenges with some of these people. I’m sure they’re up to those challenges.”
CCTV America’s Hendrik Sybrandy reports.
Former foreign service officer with the U.S. State Department and former ambassador to Bahrain, Adam Ereli, joined CCTV America to discuss this potential threat.