Hardback
Islamic State, Media, and Propaganda
Performances of the ‘Visual Caliphate’
9781035336210 Edward Elgar Publishing
This is an open access title available under the terms of a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 License. It is free to read, download and share on Elgaronline.com.
This topical book investigates the breadth of visual broadcasts and performances of the Islamic State (IS). Moign Khawaja and Christian Kaunert present a rigorous examination of how and why IS visually projected its abilities and strength as a modern state, and provide insights to the purposes behind their propaganda.
This topical book investigates the breadth of visual broadcasts and performances of the Islamic State (IS). Moign Khawaja and Christian Kaunert present a rigorous examination of how and why IS visually projected its abilities and strength as a modern state, and provide insights to the purposes behind their propaganda.
More Information
Critical Acclaim
Contents
More Information
This topical book investigates the breadth of visual broadcasts and performances of the Islamic State (IS). Moign Khawaja and Christian Kaunert present a rigorous examination of how and why IS visually projected its abilities and strength as a modern state, and provide insights to the purposes behind their propaganda.
Examining hundreds of official propaganda video releases, Khawaja and Kaunert provide a visual longitudinal analysis of IS’ portrayal of its population, territory, governance, and foreign policy, which they term as the ‘Visual Caliphate’. They demonstrate that while IS published its state-like performances in multiple formats such as audios and magazines, videos were their medium of choice as they narrate stories at length and with more clarity, offering audiences deeper context to garner their support. Contributing to a growing body of research on IS visual propaganda and its state-building project, this comprehensive book will prove beneficial for future research on contemporary terrorist organisations, de-facto jihadi states, and deradicalisation as well as conflict studies.
Islamic State, Media, and Propaganda is an indispensable resource for scholars, researchers and students in international politics, Islamic studies, terrorism and security, digital and political sociology, and communications. It is also a valuable reference for policymakers and non-governmental and civil society organizations concerned with international security.
Examining hundreds of official propaganda video releases, Khawaja and Kaunert provide a visual longitudinal analysis of IS’ portrayal of its population, territory, governance, and foreign policy, which they term as the ‘Visual Caliphate’. They demonstrate that while IS published its state-like performances in multiple formats such as audios and magazines, videos were their medium of choice as they narrate stories at length and with more clarity, offering audiences deeper context to garner their support. Contributing to a growing body of research on IS visual propaganda and its state-building project, this comprehensive book will prove beneficial for future research on contemporary terrorist organisations, de-facto jihadi states, and deradicalisation as well as conflict studies.
Islamic State, Media, and Propaganda is an indispensable resource for scholars, researchers and students in international politics, Islamic studies, terrorism and security, digital and political sociology, and communications. It is also a valuable reference for policymakers and non-governmental and civil society organizations concerned with international security.
Critical Acclaim
‘This marvellously innovative book on the performance of the Islamic State’s “modern stateness” in its official videos is a pathbreaker in a field inundated with literature on the group. The authors have produced a methodologically systematic and empirically rich analysis that is both academically rigorous and engagingly written.’
– Rashmi Singh, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
‘This in-depth study of the visual representation of the so-called ISIS caliphate in Iraq and Syria addresses a key gap in our understanding of the functionality of this terror organization. Focusing on videos released by key ISIS-linked propaganda outlets, the book demonstrates that through its visual propaganda this terror group staged a theatrical performance of modern stateness. Therefore, this study adds significantly to our understanding of the innovative character of ISIS propaganda and should be recommended reading not only for counter-terrorism practitioners and researchers but also for deradicalization professionals.’
– Hans Jakob Schindler, Counter Extremism Project
‘A profound and illuminating insight into the “stateness” of a notorious predatory terrorist organisation, the Islamic State. This book brilliantly depicts the “visual Caliphate” through camera lens and extracts the true colours of the jihadi propaganda from IS-released videos. This is a must-read for anyone that strives towards a proper understanding of violence and terrorism in the age of staggering visualization of political and social performances.’
– Artur Gruszczak, Jagiellonian University, Krakow
‘This book offers a profound and meticulously researched examination of IS''s strategic use of visual propaganda while providing invaluable insights into modern stateness and radicalization. This essential work is highly recommended for researchers and students, as it delves deeply into the complexities of IS’s state-building efforts and their implications on global security.’
– Boaz Ganor, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors, International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT), Reichman University, Israel
‘Moving beyond the traditional focus on Islamic State’s (IS) visual propaganda content, Khawaja and Kaunert explore the projections of key IS’ state-like features in its official videos. The book offers many novel methodological and empirical contributions to the ongoing debate on whether or not IS should be considered a “state”.’
– Oldrich Bures, Metropolitan University Prague, Czechia
– Rashmi Singh, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
‘This in-depth study of the visual representation of the so-called ISIS caliphate in Iraq and Syria addresses a key gap in our understanding of the functionality of this terror organization. Focusing on videos released by key ISIS-linked propaganda outlets, the book demonstrates that through its visual propaganda this terror group staged a theatrical performance of modern stateness. Therefore, this study adds significantly to our understanding of the innovative character of ISIS propaganda and should be recommended reading not only for counter-terrorism practitioners and researchers but also for deradicalization professionals.’
– Hans Jakob Schindler, Counter Extremism Project
‘A profound and illuminating insight into the “stateness” of a notorious predatory terrorist organisation, the Islamic State. This book brilliantly depicts the “visual Caliphate” through camera lens and extracts the true colours of the jihadi propaganda from IS-released videos. This is a must-read for anyone that strives towards a proper understanding of violence and terrorism in the age of staggering visualization of political and social performances.’
– Artur Gruszczak, Jagiellonian University, Krakow
‘This book offers a profound and meticulously researched examination of IS''s strategic use of visual propaganda while providing invaluable insights into modern stateness and radicalization. This essential work is highly recommended for researchers and students, as it delves deeply into the complexities of IS’s state-building efforts and their implications on global security.’
– Boaz Ganor, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors, International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT), Reichman University, Israel
‘Moving beyond the traditional focus on Islamic State’s (IS) visual propaganda content, Khawaja and Kaunert explore the projections of key IS’ state-like features in its official videos. The book offers many novel methodological and empirical contributions to the ongoing debate on whether or not IS should be considered a “state”.’
– Oldrich Bures, Metropolitan University Prague, Czechia
Contents
Contents
Preface
1 Prologue: Islamic State, media and propaganda
2 IS’s historic transition from a “paper state” to de facto state
3 Understanding Islamic State’s “acting” like a state
4 Portrait of the Caliphate’s population
5 Displays of the Caliphate’s “remaining and expanding” territoriality
6 IS’s “iron fist in a velvet glove” system of governance
7 IS’s (in)capacity to conduct relations with other states and non-state actors
8 Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
Preface
1 Prologue: Islamic State, media and propaganda
2 IS’s historic transition from a “paper state” to de facto state
3 Understanding Islamic State’s “acting” like a state
4 Portrait of the Caliphate’s population
5 Displays of the Caliphate’s “remaining and expanding” territoriality
6 IS’s “iron fist in a velvet glove” system of governance
7 IS’s (in)capacity to conduct relations with other states and non-state actors
8 Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
