More British Muslims fight for Islamic State than Britain

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/08/21/islamic-state-americans-british/14384045/

LONDON — It is likely that there are now more British Muslims fighting for the Islamic State than for Britain's military.

Britain's Ministry of Defense confirmed to USA TODAY that there are approximately 600 British Muslim servicemembers in its armed forces of almost 200,000 people. Official government estimates put the number of British Islamic State fighters operating in Syria and Iraq at up to 800. The Foreign Office cautioned Thursday that it is difficult to provide precise numbers.

The militant who beheaded American journalist James Foley in a horrifying video released this week spoke with a British accent. United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond acknowledged that the militant in the video could be a British national. And he knows the problem of British jihadists is not a new one.

"This is something we have been tracking and dealing with for many, many months and I don't think this video changes anything," he said. "It just heightens awareness of a situation which is very grave."

Khalid Mahmood, a member of Parliament from an area with a high proportion of Muslim residents, said government estimates of the number of British Islamic State fighters currently in the Mideast is far too conservative. He told Newsweek magazine this week that at least 1,500 extremists are likely to have been recruited to fight in Iraq and Syria over the last three years.

"There are an unacceptable number of Britons fighting for jihadist forces," he said.

Experts say the number of Americans fighting for the Islamic State is much lower. Joseph Young, a criminology professor at American University and expert on political violence, said simple geography and the complex cultural differences between the U.S. and Europe are primary reasons why.

Young, who said common estimates put the number of American fighters for IS at 100 to 150, said just getting to Syria or Iraq is extremely complicated from North America. However, the Islamic State's home region is practically next door for Europeans.

"We also do a better job of integrating our minority communities," Young said. "Isolation of minority groups is a much bigger problem in Europe."

Raffaello Pantucci, a researcher at Royal United Services Institute in London, said many young men facing poor job prospects in the U.K. find the IS narrative of defending Islam hard to resist. He agrees with Young -- Syria and Iraq are relatively accessible from England.

"These people can go look online and just decide to participate," he said. "With its proximity to Europe it's just so easy to do."

Ghaffar Hussain, of the Quilliam Foundation, a counter-extremism think tank in Britain, said the lure could be empowerment for many British Muslims with grievances over their treatment in a predominantly non-Muslim society.

[...]

[Boiler 43,419]

I doubt any of those involved are Britons.

I am going to guess most will have no issue with them going, but do have an issue if they come back.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Quibbling about what they should be called instead of addressing the issue is just the kind of head-in-the-sand attitude I am worried about.

It seems too common to just say, "they're not really british" or "they are naughty children" instead of figuring out what in society is failing them so that it can be prevented.

[lostinblue 1,989]

We have been told on this forum that it is just silly and a non issue to worry about this... No need for the British folks to get worried about it. at least 1,500 extremists are likely to have been recruited to fight in Iraq and Syria over the last three years. such a small number... The British population has been been disarmed and no need to bring jihad to the British cities.

[Sousuke 1,214]

Quibbling about what they should be called instead of addressing the issue is just the kind of head-in-the-sand attitude I am worried about.

It seems too common to just say, "they're not really british" or "they are naughty children" instead of figuring out what in society is failing them so that it can be prevented.

Prevention starts with blocking visas IMO.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Prevention starts with blocking visas IMO.

Who says they weren't born in the UK?

And visas are already blocked now, what to do with all the people getting mad already in the UK, living in their ghettos, dreaming of violence, unable to integrate into society? What to do with their kids?

[Sousuke 1,214]

Who says they weren't born in the UK?

And visas are already blocked now, what to do with all the people getting mad already in the UK, living in their ghettos, dreaming of violence, unable to integrate into society? What to do with their kids?

In a way the US has a similar issue, its just Americans prefer to kill Americans.

[Boiler 43,419]

Quibbling about what they should be called instead of addressing the issue is just the kind of head-in-the-sand attitude I am worried about.

It seems too common to just say, "they're not really british" or "they are naughty children" instead of figuring out what in society is failing them so that it can be prevented.

Nothing in their society is failing them.

[Sousuke 1,214]

Nothing in their society is failing them.

You sure? I bet they are just hating on their free healthcare and 4 weeks statutory holiday.

[Boiler 43,419]

Who says they weren't born in the UK?

And visas are already blocked now, what to do with all the people getting mad already in the UK, living in their ghettos, dreaming of violence, unable to integrate into society? What to do with their kids?

Place of birth is really irrelevant to this discussion, it is likely they are British Citizens, British Passport holders, access to the VWP etc.

Not sure if it is any different to the US, my impression is that most of say the LA Gangs are not new Hispanic immigrants.

You sure? I bet they are just hating on their free healthcare and 4 weeks statutory holiday.

More likely 52 week holiday.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Who says they weren't born in the UK?

And visas are already blocked now, what to do with all the people getting mad already in the UK, living in their ghettos, dreaming of violence, unable to integrate into society? What to do with their kids?

Johnsons great society was such a great social program here . You folks should copy that. When the Jihad fighters come home to raise their children I am sure they can find things to keep the young folks busy. ... And a lot of their friends, ....Showing a 5 yr old the most efficient way to behead a goat for the holiday. ...Chickens and such...... Skills dad picked up in the war ... They can help them get by for future life needs.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Oh, here it comes, just as I suspected. The UK is perfect, gives free stuff to immigrants, and they are naughty children who need to be grateful. This prevalent attitude makes me worry for the UK, really.

The US is much better at absorbing immigrants.

Edited August 21, 2014 by Harpa Timsah

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

I'm sensing a mountain of links about now....

[Sousuke 1,214]

I'm sensing a mountain of links about now....

Sausage Links? Yes plz!

Edited August 21, 2014 by Sousuke

[Boiler 43,419]

Oh, here it comes, just as I suspected. The UK is perfect, gives free stuff to immigrants, and they are naughty children who need to be grateful. This prevalent attitude makes me worry for the UK, really.

The US is much better at absorbing immigrants.

That has not been my observation, space helps to localise the problem.

Look at Ferguson. I read somewhere that nearby there is a large Bosnian area.

Edited August 21, 2014 by Boiler