Obama-led UN Security Council Passes Landmark International Terrorism Resolution

The United Nations Security Council, chaired by President Barack Obama, unanimously passed Wednesday a legally binding resolution that requires member states to counter the recruiting and movement of terrorists through their territory. Among other requirements, Security Council Resolution 2178 requires states to take measures to combat foreign terrorist fighters and to share certain law enforcement information on domestic terrorism investigations.

Foreign terrorist fighters are defined as “individuals who travel to a State other than their States of residence or nationality for the purpose of the perpetration, planning, or preparation of, or participation in, terrorist acts or the providing or receiving of terrorist training, including in connection with armed conflict.” The resolution raises concerns about the use of the Internet as a recruiting tool for terrorist groups and to incite terrorist acts abroad.

Around 12,000 foreign fighters have traveled from at least 74 countries, including from Europe and the U.S., to fight in Syria alone. On Tuesday, the Security Council blacklisted more than a dozen groups known to finance terrorist groups and recruit individuals to their ranks.

The meeting was the second time Obama served as president of the Security Council. He is the only U.S. president to do so. His first time at its helm was in 2009.