Countering ISIS' Message

Posted: March 9th, 2016

ISIS has stood out among other terrorist organizations for, among other factors, its deftness at strategic communication. Using propaganda to increase followership is certainly not new among terrorist organizations, nor among state aggressors. At al-Qaeda’s peak, they were exploiting satellite television, the Internet, DVD technology, and cellular communications to intimidate enemies and recruit supporters. But the extent to which ISIS has effectively used social media and cyber technology to recruit and inspire attacks has surpassed expectations and is the reason that the group is winning the War of Words.

ISIS message is straightforward: It is every Muslim’s responsibility to help build a caliphate governed under sharia law. Killing those that stand in the way of creating this caliphate and anyone that does not meet ISIS’ definition of a Muslim is, therefore, the cost of doing business.

Access all of The Cipher Brief’s national security-focused expert insight by becoming a Cipher Brief Subscriber+ Member.

Countering ISIS' Message

When Spymasters Talk: CIA and MI6 Chiefs On ‘Bully’ Putin and ‘Audacious’ Ukraine Raid

Why the ‘Philadelphi Corridor’ May Derail a Gaza Deal

What the U.S. Military’s ‘Overwhelming Force’ Means for the Middle East

Russia’s Poltava Attack is a Double Disaster for Ukraine

How Russia’s Military Went From Feared Power to Failing Force

Taliban 3.0: The Terrorism Threat and a Humanitarian Nightmare