The Islamic State’s Propaganda Enterprise: Terrorism’s Most Dangerous Domain

Abstract

This thesis explores the Islamic State’s intent and capacity to distribute recruitment and radicalization propaganda to Western audiences. Using an integrative research method to collect and analyze available information on this topic, this thesis offers synthesized findings on the strategy and effectiveness of the Islamic State’s targeted propaganda campaign. These findings contend that the Islamic State is organized and purposeful in the way it distributes propaganda to Westerners, and that the Internet is the most influential method of dissemination for Western-targeted content. An analysis of the Media Division’s structure and functions reveals the centrality of propaganda to the Islamic State’s mission. As an essential function of the organization, media operations are both heavily regulated and prioritized, producing a propaganda campaign unparalleled in its scope and efficacy. The success of this campaign is accomplished using a multitude of channels, messages, and mediums, which Islamic State media operatives skillfully manipulate to reach receptive audiences. Using this method of carefully constructing and circulating propaganda to engage desired audiences, the Islamic State effectively utilizes the Internet to target potential Western sympathizers. Westerners are influenced by propaganda from the Internet more than any other channel used for disseminating targeted content.