Georgia, Terrorism, and Foreign Fighters

Some 200 foreign fighters from Georgia were among those who left their homes and traveled to fight in Syria and Iraq. The Georgian case is interesting due to the large number of foreign fighters but an apparent lack of previous direct experiences with terrorism. This article examines the profiles of Georgian foreign fighters and discusses the patterns that emerge. The analysis is based on an original dataset of 54 foreign fighters. The examination of their profiles reveals that even foreign fighters who share national origins differ in motivations for departure, group affiliations, and the way they arrange the journey.