ISIS is arguably the most powerful terrorist group in the world right now.
Recently, the Brookings Institution released a study detailing one of their most effective
methods of recruiting foreign fighters: social media.
So what other modern recruiting tactics is ISIS using?
And why are they so effective?
ISIS uses several popular digital media platforms like Twitter, Youtube, Whatsapp, Sound Cloud,
JustPasteIt, Instagram, and Facebook to reach out to potential recruits.
The Brookings Institution estimates that on Twitter alone, ISIS supporters run about 50
thousand accounts, and post almost a hundred thousand messages about ISIS per day.
ISIS is adept at modern marketing techniques.
They produce expensive and highly stylized videos targeted towards specific audiences
in different languages.
In a video by the Hollywood-influenced media arm of ISIS, Al-Hayat, a white Canadian jihadist
in his 20s encourages other westerners to join up.
In other videos, directed towards more local recruits, ISIS propaganda stresses their religious
duty above all else.
Recently, ISIS released a video with sign language, meant to attract deaf and mute people
to their ranks.
The ads are all meant to appeal to young people, and they are distributed through relatively
“new” platforms of communication.
Ads with kittens and internet jokes - these humanize jihadists and show the viewer an
idyllic life in Syria - fighting for an oppressed community.
In short, ISIS videos make jihad look alluring and meaningful.
This portrayal, coupled with their deft use of social media and propaganda, could be why
so many foreign fighters have joined the ranks of ISIS.
If you want to learn more about ISIS, make sure you check out our full playlist of videos
right here, including this one about the symbolism of their flag.
There’s a link to that video in the description below, please check it out now.
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