Considering the military-media nexus from the perspective of competing groups: the case of ISIS and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula

ABSTRACT

To address if and how militant, non-state actors in the online environment react to on-the-ground military pressures facing their competitors, this study explores AQAP’s visual media campaign during the 2016–2017 military operations to retake Mosul and Raqqa from ISIS control. Using chi-square analyses and content analysis, we analyzed 4027 images from Inspire, Jihad Recollections, and al-Masra to reveal how the onset of the ISIS battles corresponded to changes in AQAP’s strategic use of visual content, presentational form, and language-based audience targeting. Significant changes in visual content related to the display of institutional power structures rather than identity markers. Shifts in presentational elements involved image positioning (foreground/background) and viewer distance (intimate/personal vs. social public). Language-based targeting strategies between English and Arabic publications, however, demonstrated the most substantial change from before to during the battles. The study concludes that a complete understanding of the military-media nexus of militant, non-state groups requires consideration of military pressure on competing groups.

KEYWORDS:

• ISIS
• al-Qaeda
• visual imagery
• military operations
• online media

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Dr. Winklre’s time for this research was supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research [FA9550-15-1-0373].

Notes on contributors

Carol Winkler

Carol Winkler is Professor of Communication Studies at Georgia State University.

Kareem El-Damanhoury

Kareem El-Damanhoury is Assistant Professor in Media, Film, and Journalism Studies at the University of Denver.

Aaron Dicker

Aaron Dicker is a Doctoral Candidate in Communication Studies at Georgia State.

Yennhi Luu

Yennhi Luu is a Research Associate at Georgia State.

Wojciech Kaczkowski

Wojciech Kaczkowski is Doctoral Candidate in Psychology and Presidential Fellow at Georgia State.

Nagham El-Karhili

Nagham El-Karhili is a Doctoral Candidate in Communication Studies and a Presidential Fellow at Georgia State.