Syria: Western Recruits Turning to Islamic Terrorism

The Syrian government has confirmed its participation in the next round of Geneva peace talks, that are set to take place on Monday. Meanwhile radical factions are believed to be gaining momentum in the war. Islamists are thought to have recruited tens of thousands of foreigners, which, potentially cause an intelligence headache in their homelands. Tesa Arcilla reports.

Worries Mount as Syria Lures West’s Muslims

THE NEW YORK TIMES: WASHINGTON — A rising number of radicalized young Muslims with Western passports are traveling to Syria to fight with the rebels against the government of Bashar al-Assad, raising fears among American and European intelligence officials of a new terrorist threat when the fighters return home.

More Westerners are now fighting in Syria than fought in conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia or Yemen, according to the officials. They go to Syria motivated by the desire to help the people suffering there by overthrowing Mr. Assad. But there is growing concern that they will come back with a burst of jihadist zeal, some semblance of military discipline, enhanced weapons and explosives skills, and, in the worst case, orders from affiliates of Al Qaeda to carry out terrorist strikes. » | Eric Schmitt | Saturday, July 27, 2013