From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International, this is To the Point.

The lure of violent jihad.

I'm Tess Viglin sitting in for Warren Alney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

a daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

Just a few months ago,

most Americans had never heard of a violent extremist group

in Iraq and Syria called ISIL.

Now this country is committing significant military resources

to battle a growing number of fighters,

as many as 30,000 whose horrific violence is on full display 24-7 on your medium of choice.

Today, an exploration of why and how ISIL attracts recruits to its ranks

as more than 40 countries prepare to confront the threat.

On today's talking point, dozens of Israeli intelligence officers have been branded criminal

for refusing to spy on Palestinians.

First, this news.

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Continuous coverage and accessible via our smartphone app or online at kCRW.com.

Support for To The Point comes from the members of KCRW and from the Public Radio International Program Fund.

I'm Tess Viglin, sitting in for Warren Allney, back with To the Point.

Extremist groups have existed for millennia, but the fast

rise and increasing barbarity of ISIL in Iraq and Syria caught much of the world off

guard. What prompts a young man or woman to join a terrorist organization like ISIL? This

...