Insight (1995)

Joining the Fight (2014x26)

: 12, 2014

Why are Australians being drawn to the conflicts in Iraq and Syria? UPDATE: Due to court proceedings this episode is currently unavailable Nominee for 'Most Outstanding Public Affairs Report' at 57th Annual TV Week Logie Awards Finalist in the 2014 United Nations Media Awards "Abdullah" is worried. The Melbourne man has a 17 year old son who has completely changed in the last year or so. The teenager has grown a long beard and talks constantly about Shias and Sunnis. "I’m worried - he wants to go to Syria and join those groups and he kill some innocent people and he (might) die himself," Abdullah tells Insight. "He's quiet and depressed." Australian authorities say there are around 60 Australians fighting in the conflicts in Syria. And the Federal Government is nervous. "We are deeply concerned that this domestic security challenge will mean that Australian citizens fighting in these conflicts overseas will return to this country as hardened home-grown terrorists who may use their experience, the skills that they’ve gained, to carry out an attack in this country," said Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop. In response, the government is introducing new counter terrorism measures and has cancelled the passports of dozens of Australians. Jenny Brockie asks why are Australians being drawn to the conflicts in Syria and Iraq, either to do humanitarian work or join the fight? Where are the influences coming from and what should be done about it?