INTERNATIONAL POLICY RESPONSES TO FOREIGN FIGHTER RETURNEES FROM ISIS: A CASE STUDY OF GEORGIA

Abstract

Many of the fighters that traveled globally to join the Islamic State (ISIS) began to return home as the terrorist organization started to lose its territory in Syria and Iraq. The returnees involve not only combatants but also their family members and individuals who supported the organization indirectly. The sheer number and international scale of the return of possibly dangerous criminals back to their home countries have presented states with enormous security and social challenges. In efforts to neutralize short and long-term threats, countries have employed a range of policies towards potential returnees, varying from on-ground targeted killings to social rehabilitation and reintegration programs. Many have also chosen to transfer the responsibility to other states and deter their citizens from crossing the border into their homeland. Various approaches have sparked national debates regarding the balance between security imperatives and ethical approaches. Georgia, located in the Caucasus region, was not exempt from such dynamics. Out of the estimated 50-200 fighters that have joined ISIS, the country made headlines as few of them rose to prominent ranks within the group. As a response to ISIS-related threats in the country, government's excessive use of force in antiterrorism operations has kindled national debates and strained relations with the ethnic Kist minority. This thesis examines the global outflow of foreign fighters, international policy responses to returnees, and focuses on the Georgian case with special attention to domestic developments. By examining global practices as well as local context, this research aims to assess the effectiveness of the current Georgian approach towards returning foreign fighters and offer possible solutions aimed at lasting peace and stability.

Date of Award	2020
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Islamic Studies