al-Qaeda Steps Up Media Campaign

One item seems to have gone mostly unnoticed in all the recent discussion around terrorism in Iraq.

The Islamic Army in Iraq appointed a media spokesman, Dr. Ali al-Na’ami, in a statement issued yesterday, June 12, 2006, who is to represent the insurgency group in matters regarding its mission, provide “analytical evaluation of events” and connect with the international organizations.

It appears as though terrorists in Iraq figured out on their own what the Washington Post told us yesterday. But if you stop to think about it, they may actually be one step ahead.

More ink equals more blood, claim two economists who say that newspaper coverage of terrorist incidents leads directly to more attacks.

It's a macabre example of win-win in what economists call a "common-interest game," say Bruno S. Frey of the University of Zurich and Dominic Rohner of Cambridge University.

Yes, more ink equals more blood equals more ink equals increased dissatisfaction with the war effort. But the appointment above came after Zarqawi's death. It's at least worth speculating that, with it's terror operations suffering as they are, a savvy operator playing the media might still be able to produce enough solitary witnesses to outrageous atrocities that may, or may not have happened to keep the press just as occupied as they would with actual attacks.

Losing on the battlefield may result in al-Qaeda falling back upon what some might already see as it's most faithful ally of all - the media. If so, we should be prepared to evaluate and hopefully debunk more Ilario Pantano's,  Ishaqi's, un-charged Marines in shackles and Haditha's.

The military battle in Iraq could be winding down - it's still too early to say. But a new front in the media war might be just opening up.

Comments

[jamie]

The media is NOT the "enemy," Dan. Your tinfoil hat is getting too tight. Enough already. It's their JOB to be adversarial, and I for one am grateful for it. And YES, they were adversarial during Clinton's administration, too. If you disagree, then you have a short memory.

[rwilymz]

"It's their JOB to be adversarial"

INCORRECT.

Their job is to be SKEPTICAL. Skeptical =/= adversarial.

Skeptical = "prove it".

Adversarial = "no matter what you say, you're wrong".

[PW]

Dan,

Just saw this article mentioning Ishaqi in a Swedish paper (link: http://www.svd.se/dynamiskt/utrikes/did_14230174.asp). Translated it says:

"The american military reported that it killed 20 al-Qaida terrorists, of which two were women, in a combined land- and air-attack 100km northwest of Bagdad.

Iraqi police and local public servants said that 32 persons were killed in the american attack, at least six children and eight women.

According to Amer Alwan, mayor in Ishaqi 90km north of Bagdad, two homes where bombed. Among the 25 bodies found so far, six where children, he said."

Maybe worth checking out Mr. Alwan.