Road Warriors: Foreign Fighters in the Armies of Jihad

Foreign fighters have traveled to conflict zones in the Muslim world to defend Islam from infidels and apostates since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. The foreign fighter movement reached its apogee in Syria, where the foreign fighter population became larger and more diverse than in any previous conflict. Daniel Byman provides a sweeping history of the jihadist foreign fighter movement, beginning with its birth in Afghanistan and its emergence as a major source of terrorism in the West in the 1990s. The movement has seen major ups and downs, including the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, the rise of the Islamic State, and the 2015 attacks in Paris. Despite high casualty rates, survivors of Afghanistan, Syria, and other fields of jihad often become skilled professional warriors, and some return to their home countries to conduct terrorist attacks. The United States and Europe have developed a global program to identify, arrest, and kill foreign fighters, but jihadist ideas and networks are deeply embedded and the problem is not likely to go away any time soon.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 22 August 2019
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, a growing number of fighters from abroad have traveled to conflict zones in the Muslim world, driven by a mission to defend Islam against perceived infidels and apostates. This phenomenon reached its peak in Syria, where the foreign fighter population became more diverse and significant than in any previous conflict. In his book "Road Warriors," Daniel Byman offers a comprehensive history of the jihadist foreign fighter movement. He traces its origins in Afghanistan, its struggles in Bosnia and Chechnya, and its rise as a major source of terrorism in the West during the 1990s, culminating in the 9/11 attacks.

Since that tragic day, the foreign fighter movement has experienced significant ups and downs. It experienced a surge of popularity following the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, where the ultra-violent Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) attracted thousands of foreign fighters. AQI, however, overextended itself and suffered a crushing defeat. Nevertheless, the movement showed remarkable resilience, reemerging as the Islamic State during the Syrian civil war, attracting tens of thousands of fighters from around the world and orchestrating devastating attacks such as the 2015 attacks in Paris and numerous other strikes. While casualty rates in these conflicts are typically high, the survivors often develop into skilled professional warriors, moving from one war to another. Some return to their home countries, pursuing peaceful lives, while a small number resort to terrorist activities.

Over time, both the United States and Europe have adapted to the challenges posed by the foreign fighter movement. Prior to 9/11, volunteers traveled to Afghanistan and other hotspots with relatively little interference. Today, the United States and its allies have implemented a comprehensive global program to identify, arrest, and eliminate foreign fighters. This effort involves intelligence gathering, targeted operations, and cooperation with regional partners.

The foreign fighter movement continues to be a complex and evolving threat, requiring ongoing efforts and cooperation to address. It highlights the need for a comprehensive strategy that addresses the root causes of radicalization, promotes religious and cultural understanding, and strengthens international cooperation to counter terrorism.

Weight: 720g
Dimension: 166 x 242 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190646516