Opinion: Why social media and terrorism make a perfect fit
People write condolence messages to the victims of a mass shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand, during a candlelight vigil outside the New Zealand Embassy in Brussels on Friday. By Max Boot Max Boot Columnist covering national security Email Bio Follow Columnist March 16 at 7:00 AM The livestreamed slaughter of 49 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, has shined a spotlight on how terrorists employ social media.
In my book, “Invisible Armies: An Epic History of Guerrilla Warfare from Ancient Times to the Present,” I noted that the rise of terrorism in the 19th century was rooted in four phenomena: First, “destructive and portable weaponry,” such as dynamite and the breach-loading pistols. Second, the growth of mass media — first, cheap, mass-circulation newspapers and magazines produced on Linotype machines and later radio, movies and television.
The anarchists were eventually suppressed, but new terrorist groups arose to take their place. The 1960s and 1970s saw a wave of Marxist and nationalist terrorism associated with organizations such as the Baader-Meinhof Gang, the Weather Underground and the Palestine Liberation Organization. The 1980s and 1990s saw the rise of Islamist terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda and Hezbollah.
After Zarqawi’s death, the Islamic State became even more adept at using social media to spread its propaganda, recruit acolytes, raise funds and inspire “lone wolf” jihadists to carry out attacks in the West. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, whose most prominent member was the Yemeni American preacher Anwar al-Awlaki, was equally skilled at propaganda, publishing an online English-language magazine called Inspire that, true to its name, inspired a number of terrorist attacks.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Opinion | Why don’t U.S. nuclear regulators acknowledge the dangers of climate change?Climate change is causing new weather threats. Our nuclear reactors should have to prepare accordingly.
Read more »
Christchurch Shooting: Why you shouldn't watch the video, and what to do if you did | OpinionBy looking through the killer's helmet camera, you could be harming yourself. And if you're doing it for no professional reason, you are adopting his vicious gaze, humiliating to his victims.
Read more »
Opinion | Why progressive insurgents aren’t waiting for permission to run for officeOpinion: Why progressive insurgents aren’t waiting for permission to run for office
Read more »
Opinion | Why 2020 must be a referendum on TrumpTrump is deeply unpopular, and Democrats need to keep it that way.
Read more »
Opinion | Why Trump's citizenship census question is as concerning as Russian collusionOpinion | Kurt Bardella: Why Trump's citizenship census question is as concerning as Russian collusion. - NBCNewsTHINK
Read more »
Why measles hits so hard within the New York Orthodox Jewish communityNew York state’s measles outbreaks, which began last October, have gone on longer and infected more people than any other current outbreak nationwide. More than 275 cases of the disease have been confirmed statewide through the first week of March.
Read more »
Analysis | A new explanation for the stubborn persistence of the racial wealth gapA new analysis aims to upend conventional wisdom about why black wealth lags so far behind.
Read more »
Trump 'wall' in desolate stretch of New Mexico has some asking: Why here?The radio on a Border Patrol SUV driving along the divide was mostly silent. To many locals and public officials familiar with the area, the $74-million structure just west of tiny Santa Teresa marks a surprising priority in the Trump administration’s efforts to build a wall against illegal immigration
Read more »
New Report Outlines Why Ethereum May Outperform Bitcoin Price In Next Crypto Bull RunIf volatility returns to the bitcoin market in an upwards direction, then Ethereum's ether token could rise even faster.
Read more »