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Exposing the role that Islamic jihad theology and ideology play in the modern global conflicts

Study: Islamic State jihadis solidly middle class, better educated than average

Feb 13, 2017 6:01 am By Robert Spencer

Meanwhile, Western governments are throwing huge amounts of money at the idea that Islamic State jihadis are poor and uneducated. They are financing jobs programs for young Muslims and building schools in jihad-saturated Muslim countries such as Afghanistan. This study shows why such efforts are foredoomed.

“New report shows the real face of Islamic State terror converts,” by John Stapleton, The New Daily, February 10, 2017:

Solidly middle-class, better educated than average, likely to be in a stable relationship and either studying or employed: that’s the face of an Islamic State convert.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute recently released a report titled The American Face of ISIS, which it commissioned in the hope of better understanding terror converts in Australia.

The larger number of converts in America charged with an Islamic State-related incident or travelling to the Middle East in order to fight with the terrorist group provided more statistical certainty than could be achieved using Australian data only. The report is to be followed with a study of the societal traits of Australians charged with terror-related incidents.

The evidence roundly contradicts Australian government messaging on Countering Violent Extremism which has painted converts to Islamic State as impoverished, lonely outsiders with little education and low job prospects.

The study examined 112 cases of individuals who perpetrated ISIS-related offences. The majority were US citizens.

The report found that Islamic State videos, well known for their high production values and cinematic qualities, played a central role in radicalisation and all offenders were likely to have watched execution videos, including the infamous burning alive of a Jordanian pilot.

The ultra-violence of the videos, including crucifixions, stonings, graphic beheadings and ritualised mass shootings, attracted recruits worldwide.

Walker Gunning, the executive director of the Chicago Project on Security and Threats which conducted the research, told The New Daily those charged with terrorist activities looked much like average Americans, including frequently having spouses and families.

The research confirms the Australian experience: 18-year-old suicide bomber Jake Bilardi left behind a blog showing him to be thoughtful and highly intelligent; the 17-year-old son of a doctor was among an affluent group of teens arrested in 2015 for plotting a Mother’s Day massacre.

“While it is common to claim that terrorists are societal outcasts, we didn’t find that to be the case,” Mr Gunning said. “This information is important because without knowing who is attracted to ISIS, the US or Australian governments cannot effectively craft counter-messages.

“Stopping online propaganda represents an unprecedented challenge for law enforcement. Whereas before, Al-Qaeda had to recruit members face to face, American ISIS supporters are self-radicalising through viewing videos in the privacy of their own homes, sometimes with small groups of friends or family.”…

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Filed Under: Featured, Islamic State (aka ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) Tagged With: Australian Strategic Policy Institute


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Comments

  1. Malcolm (SouthAfria) says

    Feb 13, 2017 at 6:13 am

    An unknown fact: in Europe and Western countries. There is a website in Saudi Arabia, where according to the founder, over 3000 Imams from 62 nations, visit each week. The website is called Al Minbar.
    The word Al Minbar is indicative of a pulpit in a mosque. It is the place where on a Friday the speech that orientates the thoughts and actions Muslims, around the world is given by imams called the “khutbah,”
    These speeches are approved by at least 8 theologians all Saudi’s and number in the thousands. Here the cannons of Saudi Wahhabism which controls most mosques in the Western world can get its message across, preaching according to the canons of Saudi Wahhabism. It can organise the masses, in these countries from its base.
    This site could not operate without the Saudi government approval, these kutbah,s are not spiritual or intellectual. These mosques are everything Jihad Watch, says of them and more.
    They are hot beds of revolution; this is where the hatred of Jews, Christians are put forward to a theological status, preaching islam virtues of suicide murders and terrorism. They are called the blessed.
    These sermons are extremely critical of fellow Muslims who do not take their submission to the will of Mohammad interpretation of his man made god seriously.
    From this position, they sustain and elevate the hatred of infidel Christians and Jews, the Holy times of Easter, Christmas, Christian symbols such as the crucifix, not to mention the Western life style of sporting events and television, dancing.

    • Somebody says

      Feb 13, 2017 at 6:20 am

      🙂

      Bin Nayef receives CIA award for ‘counter-terrorism’
      Mike Pompeo gives Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef the George Tenet award for his ‘counter-
      terrorism’ work.

      http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/cia-director-medal-top-saudi-royal-170212073731973.html

  2. Somebody says

    Feb 13, 2017 at 6:31 am

    REAL NEWS

    After CIA approval and UN sanctions removed 🙂

    birds of a feather Flock together##Hekmatyar #Erdogan #Kabul #Afghanistan #tOOnsMaG #cartoon

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C4a6vj2WEAEftkU.jpg

    USA and anti-jihad puhahahahahahahaha 😀

  3. Somebody says

    Feb 13, 2017 at 6:39 am

    Real Anti-Jihad news for friendly US Citizens;

    We are sad to report that despite the change in administration, the “new” CIA is exactly the same as the “old” one.

    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-02-11/not-onion-saudi-crown-prince-receives-cia-medal-efforts-against-terrorism

  4. Angemon says

    Feb 13, 2017 at 11:38 am

    The report found that Islamic State videos, well known for their high production values and cinematic qualities, played a central role in radicalisation and all offenders were likely to have watched execution videos, including the infamous burning alive of a Jordanian pilot.

    Videos are a medium, not the message. This is literally going after the messenger while ignoring the message.

  5. Eric Jones says

    Feb 13, 2017 at 7:02 pm

    Countering islamic supremacist ideology is key.

    The findings reported in the study as recounted in this article concur with historical patterns of violence exhibted by leaders of radical movements. Mao was from a merchant family and had an education. Che Guevera’s father was a doctor; as was the father of Carlos the Jackel. Castro studied law and his father was well to do.

    The criminal Obama never sufferd want or poverty in his life. Obama had an elite education from high school on. His grand parents had some means. Both his father and step father were high employees in their respective governments.

    The poor are used as fodder in violent situations. They rarely have the time or means or educaitions to plan terriorst violence.

    Eric

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