The Australian government is preparing to launch a mission to rescue dozens of Australian women and children trapped in Syrian detention camps. More than 20 Australian women and more than 40 children – the widows, sons and daughters of slain or jailed Islamic State combatants – remain within the al-Hol and Roj detention camps in north-east Syria.

Many of the women held in the camps say they were coerced or tricked into travelling to Syria by husbands who have since died. Most of the Australian children are under six; several were born in the camps. We’re joined by Katja Theodorakis, head of ASPI’s counter terrorism program to talk to us about who these women and children are, and what their future looks like.

In today’s Briefing, what’s next for Australia’s ISIS brides?

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