International media have been in a frenzy recently over the publication of an English-language jihadi magazine entitled Inspire. The magazine – available here (beware of possible virus) – appears to be the work of the Yemen-based group al-Qaida on the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). The magazine features the logo of the “al-Malahim foundation”, AQAP’s media arm, [...]
Archive for the ‘propaganda’ Category
Un-Inspired
Posted: 6th July 2010 by Thomas Hegghammer in al-Qaida on the Arabian Peninsula, propaganda, Western Analysts, Yemen25
A Jihadi-Salafi Case against Hamas
Posted: 23rd March 2010 by Joas Wagemakers in Hamas, Ideological trends, Palestinian Territories, propagandaIn the past few years, an increasing number of news items have focused on the clashes between Hamas in the Gaza Strip and more radical Jihadi-Salafi groups. (For a recent example, see here.) Analyses of these groups have mostly concentrated on their alleged ties with al-Qa‘ida and their criticism of Hamas as being soft (see [...]
Is RAND in Bed with Extreme Takfiris?
Posted: 22nd February 2010 by Joas Wagemakers in Conspiracy Theories, Ideological trends, Jordan, propaganda, Western AnalystsAs regular readers of jihadi literature know, the RAND Corporation is no friend of al-Qa‘ida. Supporters of the latter have a tendency to blame RAND for trying to destroy them and the rest of the world’s Muslims into the bargain. Although RAND is not alone in being perceived by jihadis as an almost conspiratorial observer [...]
Coveters of Paradise
Posted: 19th October 2009 by Scott Sanford in Hamas, Jihadi media, Jund Ansar Allah, Palestinian Territories, propagandaIn the continuing salafi-jihadi media barrage against Hamas, the al-Sumud Media entity released its inaugural edition of the journal “Coveters of Paradise”. The cover is adorned with a photo of the battle-scarred Ibn Taymiya Mosque, which is where Hamas waged a battle against the salafi-jihadi group Jund Ansar Allah in August. The journal mainly consists [...]
Media Incursion of Abu al-Nur al-Maqdisi
Posted: 10th October 2009 by Scott Sanford in Better Know a Forum, Hamas, Jund Ansar Allah, Palestinian Territories, propagandaThe Global Islamic Media Front, in cooperation with the Faloja Forums, has announced, “The Media Incursion of the Imam and Martyr Abu al-Nur al-Maqdisi.” It has five goals: Expose the truth about Hamas’s “crime” and “lies,” i.e. the recent attack on Jund Ansar Allah (JAA). Expose the truth about Hamas today and how it has [...]
Abu Talha the German Threatens to Attack Germany
Posted: 19th September 2009 by Scott Sanford in Operational Material, propagandaOn 18 September 2009, alleged al-Qaeda operative Abu Talha al-Almani (“The German”) implicitly threatened an attack on Germany within two weeks if Germany does not withdraw its forces from Afghanistan. Here is a rough translation of what Abu Talha said: “For the Muslims in Germany I say, Peace and God’s mercy and blessing be upon you: [...]
Libyan Jihad Revisions
Posted: 8th September 2009 by Thomas Hegghammer in Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, propaganda, RetractionsThere is a very significant development taking place in the so-called war of ideas. Senior leaders of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), who recently laid down their arms, are publishing a Dr. Fadl-like treatise revising their previous understanding of jihad. The text, entitled “the Book of Correctional Studies” (kitab al-dirasat al-tashihiyya), is being published [...]
Visions of Afghan and Somali Emirates
Posted: 27th August 2009 by Scott Sanford in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, propaganda, Somalia, StrategyOn 25 August 2009, the Global Islamic Media Front (GIMF) published a plea by Dr. John Boutros for Muslims to aid the jihadi cause. He stated, “Do not mourn because the Islamic Caliphate is imminent… Trust me, the US is one or two thrusts” away from crumpling. However, in order to make this happen Muslims [...]
Al-Maqdisi’s Online Library of Translated Jihadi Material
Posted: 2nd August 2009 by Scott Sanford in Indoctrination, Jihadi Book Club, Jihadi media, propagandaOn 2 August 2009, Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi announced the opening of an English version of his jihadi library. In the announcement, he requested that Falluja Forum members spread the word regarding his new website and to send him any trustworthy translations. The English website is similar to the Arabic site but it currently does not [...]
The Non-Strategic “Special Strategic Study”
Posted: 22nd July 2009 by Scott Sanford in Islamic War Doctrine, Nuclear, propaganda, Strategy, WMDThe “Falluja Think Tank” recently published the “Special Strategic Study of the Global Battle and the Jihadi Movement’s Place in It.” Like Thomas, I had high expectations, but was disappointed in the end because the study amounted to little more than general summaries of U.S. and jihadi history. However, the author did state that divine [...]