Terrorism, while not new in the history of humanity, has become a major issue and
challenge for contemporary society worldwide. Recently it has become embodied and symbolized
by the “Islamic State in Iraq and Syria” (ISIS) in its many permutations in the Middle East,
the focus of massive military intervention on the part of major world powers and of study,
analysis, strategy and planning. One aspect that has distinguished ISIS from previous
terrorist movements is a major migration of women, especially but not limited to Western
Europe, joining the jihad proclaimed by the religious leaders of ISIS. This
introduction to the special issue on Female Migration to ISIS surveys and identifies the
known possible roots of the phenomenon and related issues, summarizes major known points
relative to it, and outlines the future agenda of work, not only academic but also practical
and strategic, to be followed. Balanced recommendations on how to build a promising
intervention strategy not only based on military force are put forth for consideration and
discussion. While based on research, this article should be considered more of an editorial,
generally introducing the field, summarizing existing work, especially the content of this
special issue, and pointing out work needed in the future.