Categories of American Jihadist Travelers
Based on the underlying factors behind their travel, how they made their journeys, and which roles they took, Americans who traveled to join jihadist groups in Syria and Iraq can be classified into three analytical categories: pioneers, networked travelers, and loners.
Sections of the report highlight the relevance of each category for understanding American jihadist travel, using case studies of several travelers and groups of travelers. Also of note are travelers who have returned to the United States after joining jihadist groups in Syria and Iraq. Each of these sections is available below.