Terror prevention

The Era of Jihadist Amateurism Might Be Over

But last month’s synchronized attacks in Paris suggest that the days of jihadist ineptitude may be numbered.

Several of the Paris attackers, who had been to Syria and appeared to be well-trained, were among the approximately 30,000 foreign fighters from 100 countries who have joined the Islamic State over less than three years. More than 5,000 of them are believed to be Westerners, many of whom could eventually return home.

“Europe is far more vulnerable today than it was just a few years ago,” said Jytte Klausen, a professor at Brandeis University.