Why Are Young Tunisians Joining ISIS?

A 12-meter (40-foot)-long mosaic with the images and names of the victims of an attack on the Bardo museum is unveiled in front of the Bardo museum as the country marks the first anniversary of the attack in Tunis, Tunisia, Friday, March 18, 2016. Tunisian Prime Minister, Habib Essid , attended a commemoration of an Islamic extremist attack on Tunisia’s leading museum a year ago, which left 22 people dead, mainly foreign tourists.
A 12-meter (40-foot)-long mosaic with the images and names of the victims of an attack on the Bardo museum is unveiled in front of the Bardo museum as the country marks the first anniversary of the attack in Tunis, Tunisia, Friday, March 18, 2016. Hassene Dridi / AP Photo
A 12-meter (40-foot)-long mosaic with the images and names of the victims of an attack on the Bardo museum is unveiled in front of the Bardo museum as the country marks the first anniversary of the attack in Tunis, Tunisia, Friday, March 18, 2016. Tunisian Prime Minister, Habib Essid , attended a commemoration of an Islamic extremist attack on Tunisia’s leading museum a year ago, which left 22 people dead, mainly foreign tourists.
A 12-meter (40-foot)-long mosaic with the images and names of the victims of an attack on the Bardo museum is unveiled in front of the Bardo museum as the country marks the first anniversary of the attack in Tunis, Tunisia, Friday, March 18, 2016. Hassene Dridi / AP Photo

Why Are Young Tunisians Joining ISIS?

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The Arab Spring began in Tunisia and the country has been heralded for its democratic transition. 

But by many estimates, Tunisia has also sent the largest number of foreign fighters to join ISIS. It’s estimated that between 6000 to 7000 Tunisians have left the country and headed to Iraq and Syria. 

In a recent article in The New Yorker, George Packer wrote about why so many young Tunisians are joining the Islamic State. He joins us to talk about why Tunisians are drawn to the Islamic State.