Virtual Camouflage: Social Media and a New Operating Environment in the 21st Century
Abstract
The communication strategies implemented by the Islamic State have been effective, and it can be assumed that future groups, who wish to disseminate messages of violence to achieve their political end state, will emulate, implement, and adapt the information strategies used by ISIS and its support network. With an obsolete framework to fully measure the social complexity of insurgent messaging and social influence, the immediate Western reaction to IS success has been the classic default response of targeted kinetic military action against a perceived distinguishable enemy. While kinetic engagements have been unyielding, the objectives of a counterinsurgency are rarely reconciled by the decisive military battle. Within the virtual operating environment, the capacity to influence change and disseminate a grievance narrative has become as powerful as ever. The Islamic States proven online tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) will enable future non-state actors and underground insurgencies to more effectively disseminate their objectives, propaganda messages, and grievance narratives through the technologies and tools of the internet.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 24, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1176121
Entities
People
- Jeffrey J. Cahill