CNN shares insight into ISIS's recruiting techniques ... (kittens, Nutella and emojis)

Business Insider ^ | February 18, 2015 | JULIA LA ROCHE

[maggief]

In addition to murdering innocent civilians and producing appalling propaganda videos, the jihadist group Islamic State (also known as ISIS and ISIL) has reportedly developed some creative and effective recruiting techniques.

[maggief]

http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1502/18/cnr.02.html

Aired February 18, 2015 - 09:30 ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning. I'm Carol Costello. Thank you so much for joining me.

As ISIS continues to gain territory across the Middle East, the recruitment of young women to its ranks has become increasingly important to the group. And among the most highly sought after targets, western women. But how do you relay your message of jihad in a way westerners understand? How can westerners understand? Well, you turn to the language of social media, and that seems to be working just fine for ISIS. ISIS is talking online about jars of Nutella, pictures of kittens and emojis. These three images are in part helping ISIS recruiters lure westerners into their fight because they want people to believe their life on the battlefield isn't so different than yours. They actually eat Nutella and I guess they have pet kittens.

Let's talk about all of this. I'm joined by Nimmi Gowrinathan. I didn't want to butcher your last name and I hope I didn't. She's a visiting professor at City College New York and an expert on women and sexual violence.

[Paul46360]

And here I thot it was beer.

[BenLurkin]

Whiskey for our men, beer for our horses.

Kittens and Nutella for the girly girls.

[petercooper]

I didn't want to butcher your last name

Pure class.

[maggief]

LOL’d at that one. What a dolt.

[Sasparilla]

“Kittens and Nutella...” Bet they are eating both.

[ConservativeInPA]

I'm joined by Nimmi Gowrinathan ... She's a visiting professor at City College New York and an expert on women and sexual violence.

A true authority on the Islamic State, I see. More than likely she has experience with kittens of a different variety. Why in the hell would anyone even have a discussion with someone of her weak strain of liberal thinking?

[stephenjohnbanker]

They pay cash to terrorist recruits as well. No need of a puppy.

[Travis McGee]

[MeshugeMikey]

My covert Operatives tell me that Obies INVOLVED in this Recruitment Drive

[Flick Lives]

Obviously there is a need to ban the cat show loophole and add a 30 day waiting period on Nutella.

[BunnySlippers]

Remember, Burt and Ernie were on the Osama posters!