Final Report of the Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel

The report addresses the urgent and growing threat of terrorist travel by Americans to Syria and Iraq. Despite the government’s efforts to control this travel, hundreds of Americans have attempted to reach the conflict zones to join the jihadists. Using numerous briefings, interviews, site visits, and document analysis, the Task Force makes thirty-two key findings dealing with government strategy, identification of terrorists, and disruption of foreign fighter travel, including: Key Finding 1: The United States lacks a comprehensive strategy for combating terrorist and foreign fighter travel. Key Finding 14: State and local law enforcement personnel continue to express concern that they are not provided with the appropriate security clearances to assist with counterterrorism challenges. Key Finding 25: “Broken travel” and other evasive tactics are making it harder to track foreign fighters. Key Finding 29: Gaping security weaknesses overseas—especially in Europe—are putting the U.S. homeland in danger by making it easier for aspiring foreign fighters to migrate to terrorist hotspots and for jihadists to return to the West. Introductory remarks by security experts accompany the text and place these findings and recommendations in their proper context, explaining the critical need for effective strategy in combating terrorist travel from the United States.