Iraqi Insurgent Media

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Related Programs:
American Strategy Program, Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency Initiative

In their just-released special report, "Iraqi Insurgent Media: The War of Images and Ideas," Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty regional analysts Daniel Kimmage and Kathleen Ridolfo take an in-depth look at the multi-layered media efforts of Sunni insurgents, who are responsible for the majority of U.S. combat deaths in Iraq.

Insurgents and their supporters communicate with the world through daily press releases, weekly and monthly magazines, books, video clips, full-length films, countless websites, and even television stations. Mainstream Arab media amplify the insurgent message to a mass audience.

The insurgency's media efforts are decentralized, fast-moving, and technologically adaptive, with the overall message emerging from the collective efforts of individuals and small groups, transmitted daily to an audience of millions. Anti-Shi'ite hate speech is an increasingly prominent part of the insurgent message.

Kimmage and Ridolfo argue that popularity of online Iraqi Sunni insurgent media reflects a genuine demand for their message in the Arab world. At the same time, the greatest strengths of the insurgency's media strategy -- decentralization and flexibility -- have revealed vulnerabilities that can be exploited by forces interested in a free and democratic Iraq.

Join the New America Foundation and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty for a timely discussion on the Iraqi Sunni insurgency's media campaign with Daniel Kimmage and Kathleen Ridolfo, followed by commentary from James K. Glassman and Jeffrey Gedmin. Schwartz Senior Fellow Peter Bergen will moderate the question and answer session.

Participants

• Daniel Kimmage
  Regional Analyst
  Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
• Kathleen Ridolfo
  Regional Analyst
  Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
• James K. Glassman
  Chairman, Broadcasting Board of Governors Senior
  Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
• Jeffrey Gedmin
  President
  Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
• Peter Bergen
  Schwartz Senior Fellow, New America Foundation
  Terrorism Analyst, CNN