Reintegration of foreign terrorist fighter families: A framework of best practices for the U.S.

Austin Doctor , Haroro Ingram , Devorah Margolin , Andrew Mines , Lorenzo Vidino

Ftfs , Reintegration
March 2023

Table of Contents

A report outlining a comprehensive framework of best practices in the reintegration of FTF families.

Project Overview

This report outlines a comprehensive framework of best practices in the reintegration of foreign terrorist fighter spouses and children (i.e., “the FTF family”). It collates and synthesizes a suite of interlocking principles to guide reintegration policy and implementation, covering practical challenges and programmatic objectives, the organizational structure and process of reintegration management in the U.S. context, the role of strategic communications and trauma-informed care, and the use of specialized risk assessment tools. Drawing on original work conducted in previous investigative streams, this report combines scholarly analyses from both theory and practice, interviews with practitioners and stakeholders, case study investigations, and the authors’ collective experiences in the field.

Key Findings

First, overarching policy and programmatic planning must take into account a suite of core objectives that are central to the reintegration of FTF families.
Second, we argue that the coordination and efficacy of reintegration activities can be improved with a greater focus on the role of strategic communications at the overarching planning and management level.
Third, we highlight the need for better incorporation of gender, age, and trauma-informed considerations at the program and case levels.
Finally, this report presents the broad parameters of a risk assessment tool for assessing FTF returnees and their families based on the project’s multidisciplinary and multisectoral findings.