A 9/11 mastermind invites journalists for an online chat? Behind Al Qaeda's latest publicity tactic. By Vivian Salama Newsweek Web Exclusive Dec 20, 2007 (read the full article)Al Qaeda's exploitation of Cognetics via the Internet is evolving once again. This time the group is offering journalists direct access to its #2 man (Ayman al-Zawahiri) in attempt to directly influence Western audiences.
Zawahiri's invitation, as featured on a jihadi Web site identified as 'Al Qaeda Muslims Morocco Islamic'
In the statement, released Dec. 16, Zawahiri invites "individuals, agencies and all media" to submit written questions via one of As-Sahaab's Web forums. He calls upon the "brothers" who supervise the site "to collect the questions and transmit them without alteration, whether it is coming from someone who agrees or disagrees."
This is the first time Al Qaeda has made a formal call to journalists, although it will not be the first time the radical Islamic group has granted interviews to Western media. Counterterrorism experts believe that the posting is genuine and that it is part of Al Qaeda's evolving tactics to use the Web as part of its propaganda arsenal.
"This is a continuation of the efforts by Al Qaeda's senior leadership to push themselves forward in the public viewpoint," says Maj. Reid Sawyer, editor of "Terrorism and Counterterrorism" and a lecturer of terrorism studies at Columbia University.
"This is a continuation of the efforts by Al Qaeda's senior leadership to push themselves forward in the public viewpoint," says Maj. Reid Sawyer, editor of "Terrorism and Counterterrorism" and a lecturer of terrorism studies at Columbia University.
Recent messages from both Osama bin Laden and Zawahiri have specifically called on Americans to embrace Islam and turn against the governments they deem to be enemies of Islam. Counterterrorism analysts say the offer of an online exchange with Zawahiri is part of its broader emphasis on connecting with new audiences.
"While Al Qaeda has its own media institutions, it well understands that Western audiences don't necessarily tune into those sources of information," says Sawyer. "Because of that, this allows them to reach Western audiences and it gives them some degree of legitimacy in terms of who the interviews are conducted with."
The strategy guiding jihadist Internet use was demonstrated when Al Qaeda's Saudi Arabian network, Muaskar al-Battar (Camp of the Sword), launched its Web site in January 2004. Its introductory message read: "In order to join the greatest training camps, you don't have to travel to other lands. Alone, in your home or with a group of your brothers, you too can begin to execute the training program.
You can all join the Al-Battar Training Camps." Jarret Brachman, a former CIA analyst now in the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point describes this as playing to the YouTube generation. "It completely fits Al Qaeda's communications strategy over the past two years, which is how to get people more invested in the movement."
-Snop's Commentary:
According to Dr. Chet Richard's ,the late Col John R. Boyd USAF (Ret) believed a sensible grand strategy relies on a number of factors, which include:
Pump[ing]-up our resolve, drain[ing]-away our adversary's resolve, and attract[ing] the uncommitted.
"Grand strategy seeks to "influence the uncommitted or potential adversaries so that they are drawn towards our philosophy and are empathetic toward our success." If they choose to join our cause, great; but at the very least they should refrain from any actions that furnish comfort, support, or information to our adversaries.'
Al Qaeda's new global media delivery platforms are zeroing in on attracting support from the uncommitted in the West by dealing directly with those who will present Al Qaeda's side of the story.
What are we in the West doing to not only attract the uncommited in the Muslim world but what about the uncommited in Europe, the US and elsewhere?
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From Dawn of the Cognetic Age:
"We must ask tough questions to determine whether our policies promote or hinder our ability to maintain the vital support of the American people and our allies for conducting a long war. Our leadership plainly states that we are engaged in such a war, possibly lasting a generation or longer. Our grand strategy must reflect this basic assumption.
Therefore, policy objectives must bolster our resolve to continue the struggle, attract the uncommitted to our side, and drain away militants’ resolve to continue the struggle. If our policies support the objectives, we should stay with them; if they do not, we must change them."
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