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New Islamic State Publication Touts Progress in Clash of Civilizations New Islamic State Publication Touts Progress in Clash of Civilizations
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In the new issue of its magazine Dabiq, the Islamic State boasts of the progress it’s made in polarizing the world into two sharply opposing camps–its supporters on one side, and the West and all those Muslims who do not accept their newly declared “Caliphate,” on the other In the new issue of its magazine Dabiq, the Islamic State boasts of the progress it’s made in polarizing the world into two sharply opposing camps—its supporters on one side, and on the other, the West and all those Muslims who do not accept its newly declared “Caliphate.”
“As the world progresses towards al-Malhamah al-Kubr (the “Great Battle”), the option to stand on the sidelines as a mere observer is being lost,” the magazine writes, in its cover story, titled “From Hypocrisy to Apostasy: The Extinction of the Grayzone,” It also lauds “the withering of the grayzone” and grimly warning Muslims in the West that they will soon be forced to make “one of two choices.” “As the world progresses towards al-Malhamah al-Kubr (the “Great Battle”), the option to stand on the sidelines as a mere observer is being lost,” the magazine writes, in its cover story, titled “From Hypocrisy to Apostasy: The Extinction of the Grayzone.” It also lauds “the withering of the grayzone” and grimly warns Muslims in the West that they will soon be forced to make “one of two choices.”
The new issue also includes an article purportedly written by British hostage John Cantlie, a defense of recent Islamic State killings of those accused of “sexual deviance,” and an article about two recently executed Japanese hostages. It also features graphic images a decapitated head, and the badly burned body of Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh, who was captured and killed by the Islamic State. The new issue also includes an article purportedly written by British hostage John Cantlie, a defense of recent Islamic State killings of those accused of “sexual deviance,” and an article about two recently executed Japanese hostages. It also features graphic images of a decapitated head, and the badly burned body of Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh, who was captured and killed by the Islamic State.
The utility of such shocking and provocative attacks is explained as a means of “dragging the masses into the battle” through actions which will “inflame opposition and which will make the people enter into the battle…such that each individual will go to the side which he supports,” the magazine says. The utility of such shocking and provocative attacks is explained as a means of “dragging the masses into the battle” through actions that will “inflame opposition and which will make the people enter into the battle … such that each individual will go to the side which he supports,” the authors write.
Dividing the world into opposing camps in this manner has long been a tactical objective of extremist ideologues.Dividing the world into opposing camps in this manner has long been a tactical objective of extremist ideologues.
In an influential jihadist document first published online in 2004 and entitled “The Management of Savagery,” the late Al Qaeda strategist Abu Bakr Naji cited the need to “transform societies into two opposing groups, igniting a violent battle between them whose end is either victory or martyrdom.”In an influential jihadist document first published online in 2004 and entitled “The Management of Savagery,” the late Al Qaeda strategist Abu Bakr Naji cited the need to “transform societies into two opposing groups, igniting a violent battle between them whose end is either victory or martyrdom.”
In recent interviews Islamic State members have stated that The Management of Savagery remains a highly influential text within the organization, and is employed as part of the training curriculum for both commanders and rank-and-file operatives. In recent interviews, Islamic State members have stated that The Management of Savagery remains a highly influential text within the organization, and is employed as part of the training curriculum for commanders, as well as for rank-and-file operatives.
University of Michigan Professor Juan Cole has noted this divide-and-conquer strategy draws less from traditional Islamic theology than from the practice of 20th century European radicals who also sought to “sharpen the contradictions” between various groups as a means of violently reshaping society.University of Michigan Professor Juan Cole has noted this divide-and-conquer strategy draws less from traditional Islamic theology than from the practice of 20th century European radicals who also sought to “sharpen the contradictions” between various groups as a means of violently reshaping society.
The magazine also cites recent attacks in France against Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket as being undertaken in order to “further bring division to the world and destroy the grayzone everywhere.”The magazine also cites recent attacks in France against Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket as being undertaken in order to “further bring division to the world and destroy the grayzone everywhere.”
The magazine even approvingly cites former U.S. President George W. Bush, and his war on terror rhetoric. “Bush spoke the truth when he said, ‘Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists.’ Meaning, either you are with the crusade or you are with Islam,” the magazine says. The magazine even approvingly cites former U.S. President George W. Bush, and his war on terror rhetoric. “Bush spoke the truth when he said, ‘Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists.’ Meaning, either you are with the crusade or you are with Islam,” the magazine states.
Photo: Jens Meyer/APPhoto: Jens Meyer/AP