ISIS’s Information Operations: Analyzing their Themes and Messages by Karen Kaya, Foreign Military Studies Office
The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) is a Sunni jihadist group active in Iraq and Syria. In June 2014 it declared itself the Islamic Caliphate and changed its name to the “Islamic State,” claiming religious authority over all Muslims across the world and aspiring to bring the Muslim world under its political control. The group conducts a comprehensive information operations campaign on its Turkish language news site takvahaber.net, where it uses certain themes and messages to flaunt its power, promote its ideology, and target those who criticize it. Close monitoring and examination of the group’s daily statements, videos and updates shed light on the group’s strategy, its target audience and strategic communications, while also providing insight into its goals and motivations…