Daniel Cohen from the Institute for National Security Studies discussing ISIS’ influence on social media at the Heritage Foundation. (Ashley Gilmore/MNS)
WASHINGTON— The terrorist group, ISIS, is using social media as a new and effective propaganda weapon to spread its message, , Daniel Cohen, of the Institute for National Security Studies, said Wednesday.
Located in Israel, the institute focuses on research of Israel’s national security policies and provides analysis and recommendations. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, hosted Cohen, who is security institute’s coordinator for military affairs and cyber warfare programs.,
Last month ISIS, the self-described Islamic State, successfully hacked into the U.S. Central Command’s social media sites. Tuesday, a video surfaced showing a 26 year-old Jordanian pilot being burned alive. These acts brought serious airtime on news outlets as well as social media.
“A mouse is the real weapon of ISIS,” said Cohen.
Cohen said social media aids ISIS in its bid to export terrorism and expand its reach globally.
Along with his work researching terrorism and how it affects social media Cohen also has a master’s in political science from Tel Aviv University and has published many articles on cyber security and terrorism.
He said ISIS – the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria — uses new media platforms in a way other extremist groups haven’t before.
They are using social media to try to establish a narrative that they are just like any other group of people, Cohen said. Anonymous participants post pictures of animals with guns, well known snacks and foods and video game posters, with the aim of relating to young citizens of countries, including America.
ISIS in its narrative tries to reflect community and brotherhood, showing recruitment videos of families and children who join ISIS.
“They are trying sell that it is a normal life,” said Cohen.
Based on the numbers, the terrorists are achieving their goals. Cohen reports 20.4 percent of Facebook comments on ISIS in America are positive. In Belgium the response is bigger, with 30 percent of ISIS comments being positive, while in Israel the range is 10 percent to 15 percent.
Remaining anonymous online also fuels the group’s goal of global expansion. ISIS gives the impression of being everywhere. From newscasts to posts on Facebook, from America to Europe, anonymity helps the organization maintain vagueness as to its size.
Cohen disagrees with the broadcasting of ISIS videos and graphic images.
“The beheading video was one of the most effective videos in history,” said Cohen. “There needs be a legal solution, where we can stop the spreading of the videos.”
