On 24 September 2014, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2178 calling on all member states to take collective action to prevent to the flow of foreign terrorist fighters. The resolution, which was adopted during a meeting of the Security Council chaired by President Obama, comes amid growing international concern regarding the situation in Iraq and Syria.

The UN resolution proposes to address the issue of foreign terrorist fighters on certain key fronts:

• Strengthening domestic criminal offences
• Stressing the importance of curbing the financial flow and providing material/logistical support to terrorist organizations
• Strengthening international cooperation and underscoring the role of the United Nations
• Preventive measures, including efforts to counter violent extremism through enhanced civil society and community engagement

Publications

• Addressing the Foreign Terrorist Fighters Phenomenon from a European Union Perspective
• Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism: The Role of the United Nations Today and the Impact of Security Council Resolution 2178
• Responding to Foreign Terrorist Fighters: A Risk-Based Playbook for States and the International Community

Articles

• The U.N. must coordinate the fight against the Islamic State
• Counter-terrorism Efforts Must Focus on Roles of Women
• Behind the Veil of Foreign Jihadi Brides
• Countering ISIS Through Security Council Means Separating the Devil from the Details

Events

• Addressing the Foreign Terrorist Fighters Phenomenon from an EU Perspective
• Strengthening Criminal Justice and Rule of Law Efforts to Address the Threat Posed by Foreign Terrorist Fighters
• Responding to the Challenges Posed by Foreign Terrorist Fighters

Below is a podcast interview released on 24 September with Global Center Head of Research and Analysis Naureen Chowdhury Fink on the resolution.

(courtesy of Mark L Goldberg, UN Dispatch)