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The Other Battle for Hearts and Minds: A Comparative Study of English-Language Jihadi Magazines.
Abstract
This paper is a comparative study of English-language jihadi e-magazines published by the Islamic State and al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). To date, the Islamic State has published six issues of Dabiq, which cumulatively run more than 250 pages. AQAP has published more than 550 pages in twelve issues of Inspire. Using content analysis, I compare and contrast all available editions of both magazines. Articles are coded according to length, kind, and content, allowing for systematic comparison within and across publications. I find that while both magazines draw on religion to justify views, to legitimate the use of violence, and to recruit followers, important differences exist. While Inspire seeks to motivate "lone wolves" to carry out attacks in the West, Dabiq calls on Muslims worldwide to perform hijrah and join its fight in the Middle East. Inspire draws on humor, satire, and celebrity culture; Dabiq does not. Furthermore, Dabiq goes to far greater lengths to demonstrate religious credentials and to explain its strategic vision. Other findings relate to the evolution of group priorities over time, differences in how the magazines use "words of the enemy" against the West, and variation on interpretations of oft-cited Islamic text. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of implications for policy.
Discipline
Political Science
Geographic Area
Arab States
Sub Area
Terrorism