ISIS and the Recruitment of Foreigners

Although exact numbers are unknown, a considerable number of ISIS members are coming from outside of Syria and Iraq. Who are these people and where are they coming from? Why? What is the appeal? What is ISIS doing to recruit them? How is ISIS trying to expand their followers?

True/False Quiz:

1. Three teenage girls from Denver recently skipped school to fly over to Europe and eventually join ISIS.

2. Approximately 1000 Westerners have joined ISIS so far, nearly 200 women.

3. ISIS has used the video game Battlefield as a form of recruitment.

4. The "ginger jihadist" is a 35 year-old red-head from Australia who joined ISIS last year and has appeared in several propaganda videos for them.

5. As many as 20,000 foreigners from around the world have gone to Syria to join ISIS.

Working with a partner, find articles to answer the following questions. At the end of each answer, be sure to include the source (web address).

1. Where are these outside fighters coming from? Any specific numbers or approximations of these people?
2. Explain why these people are joining ISIS. What are their motivations? Are they all the same or are people joining for different reasons?
3. What is attracting women to ISIS?
4. What is their role in ISIS? How does this help ISIS? 
5. What is ISIS doing to help recruit these people?
6. What can be done, if anything, to reduce the influx of outsiders joining the ranks of ISIS?

UPDATE: Here's a brand new article on ISIS and the recruitment of females.