Why do people join ISIS? Augusta University Explains (Part 2 of 4)

As the threat of homegrown terrorism grows, many wonder what draws American citizens to pledge their allegiance to terrorist organizations in the first place.

“There’s a lot of variables that go into wanting to belong to a radical Jihadi movement rather than your state,” said Dr. Craig Albert, assistant professor of political science at Augusta University. “The biggest part is never feeling truly accepted by society.”

As a leading scholar in American politics and foreign affairs, Albert’s research focuses on Islamic extremism and the rise of ISIS, the fight between ISIS and the Kurds and the Russo-Chechen conflict.

“There are no loopholes in [ISIS]’s theology once you buy into it,” Albert said. “It says for instance that Islam should cover the face of the world, that the government should be Islamic, a caliphate…”

Albert teaches courses on war and terrorism, American politics and political philosophy; he also directs the Model United Nations Program. Albert is a political contributor to The Augusta Chronicle and a blogger for ROAR: Renaissance for American Responsibility. He’s appeared on national media broadcasts, including a live interview segment with Megyn Kelly for Fox News Channel about the Boston Marathon bombers. He has also testified to the U.S. Congress on Islamic Extremism.

Watch the entire four-part series:

Like
Like Love Haha Wow Sad Angry
Written by
Arthur Takahashi

Arthur Takahashi is Digital Media Coordinator at Augusta University. Contact him to schedule an interview on this topic or with one of our experts at 706–446–5128 or atakahashi@augusta.edu.

View all articles
Written by Arthur Takahashi

Jagwire is your source for news and stories from Augusta University. Daily updates highlight the many ways students, faculty, staff, researchers and clinicians "bring their A games" in classrooms and clinics on four campuses in Augusta and locations across the state of Georgia.

graphic that says download jag mobile with icon buttons below that say download on app store and download on google play with a picture of a phone