Event Rapporteur – ISIS’ Influence in Social Media

Summary

On February 4, Daniel Cohen from the Institute of National Security Studies spoke about the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and their use of social media at the Heritage Foundation.[1] The lecture’s timing was sadly prescient. A day earlier, ISIS released the video of Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh.

The thrust was that ISIS poses a unique threat. They are not the first terrorists to engage online, but they do it better. Their understanding of social media is highly sophisticated and they know how to leverage it for earned media. Audiences are carefully segmented. Videos and other materials are offered in multiple languages.

About two-thirds of the talk focused on how they recruit westerners. ISIS draws them in with a message that they are “just like us.” The imagery invites you to be part of their community. Slick videos resemble travelogues. ISIS followers are shown doing ordinary activities, like snacking on Nutella and bananas. Once hooked, ISIS indoctrinates the recruits and teaches them how to evade online surveillance.  The goal is to convince the recruit to take up arms in Iraq or Syria or to perpetrate a “lone wolf” attack, like the shooting at the Canadian Parliament.

Relationship to Class

Cohen outlined a strategic communication plan. ISIS has clear objectives, defined audiences with a focus on persuadables, a simple message that resonates with the audiences, and a range of digital media outlets. ISIS even thinks creatively. A matchmaking website aimed at young women was in the news recently.

The talk also raises the question of what compels people to move from initial contact, to online engagement, and finally offline action. Understanding the catalyst for ISIS’ success could help develop countermeasures.

In addition, Cohen believes cyberterrorism is ISIS’ next front. Part of that is how ISIS uses digital media to promulgate propaganda and psychological warfare. The al-Kasasbeh video is a case in point for both. Odds are it will radicalize a few of the millions that saw it. Moreover, ISIS’ the intent was to weaken Jordan’s resolve and force them from the coalition. There is also a debate to be had over whether it was appropriate for media to show the video.

Privacy and the First Amendment also come into play. Practical and legal limitations exist in tracking potential terrorists.  As Cohen observed, “democracy can be inconvenient.” Having child pornography on your computer is illegal, but information on how to commit mass murder is not.

Critique

The presentation was compelling and the Q&A thoughtful. My one criticism is that Cohen offered no solutions. When asked how to get to counter their reach, he said the most effective messenger would be a disillusioned former recruit, but that none have come forward. Cohen did not mention anything about measures law enforcement [2]  and intelligence agencies are taking. An assessment and call to action would have made for a powerful conclusion.

Meanwhile, Anonymous announced this week that it targeted ISIS-controlled social media accounts[3] and USA Today ran a feature on a Minneapolis man with a cartoon series aimed at rebutting ISIS’ message.[4] Perhaps the solution to defeating ISIS’ online grassroots campaign is through a grassroots response as opposed to government-directed activity.

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[1] Cohen, D. (2015, February 4) ISIS’ Influence in Social Media. The Heritage Foundation. Washington, DC.

[2] Koran, L. (2015, February 3) US winning fight against ISIS recruiting, official says. CNN.com. Retrieved February 10, 2015.  

[3] Osborne, C. (2015, February 9) Anonymous targets ISIS social media recruitment drives in #OpISIS campaign. Zdnet.com. Zero Day. Retrieved February 10, 2015.  

[4] Madhani, A. (2015, February 3) Average Mohamed tries to thwart Islamic State. USA Today. Retrieved February 10, 2015.