The Islamic State and Information Warfare: Defeating ISIS and the Broader Global Jihadist Movement

Threat Knowledge Group ^ | January 2015

[Ray76]

ISIS, or the Islamic State (IS) as it now calls itself, is a far deadlier enemy than Al Qaeda, especially in its understanding and use Information Warfare and Psychological Operations (PSYOP).

A fully fledged insurgency which has recruited tens of thousands of fighters and controls large parts of Iraq and Syria, IS is especially skilled in the exploitation of global social media networks to radicalize, indoctrinate and recruit.

While the use of force-such as airstrikes-against IS targets may have a positive effect in the short term, victory in the long term will only come when the “lifestyle of the jihadi” is effectively delegitimized. This will require America to draft and execute a national-level Information Operations campaign against the Islamic State. Currently the true center of gravity of this group lies in its Threat Doctrine of Global Jihadism. That ideology cannot be destroyed kinetically.

In order to defeat the Islamic State and eventually the broader Global Jihadist Movement, the US government must recognize the five following truths of Information Warfare:

[SERKIT]

Our President refused to consider ISIS as "Islamic" even though it is part of the name they gave themselves.

Further, "Iran" needs to always be referred to by their real name: "The Islamic Republic of Iran". Yes, Mr. President, they ARE Islamic, and they are purveyors of state-sponsored terrorism, and you are subsidizing and enabling their work around the globe.

[butlerweave]

ISIS have killed more of their own than anyone else