Beginning with a historical perspective on foreign ?ghters, this article then seeks to clarify ambiguities and biases that shape how we often analyse the foreign ?ghter phenomenon. The central focus is then on the evolving trends and activities of the movement. A new generation of ?ghters have emerged who are comfortable as terrorists, recruiters, trainers and media propagandists, amongst other specialties. The author concludes by assessing the signi?cance of the problem today.