Le Beck analyst Kierat Ranautta-Sambhi penned an article in Divergent Options regarding the strategic communication used by Islamic State (IS) in order to recruit in Syria: “In relatively simple terms”, writes Ranautta-Sambhi, Daesh’s strategic communications included incorporating a trifecta of local issues: (1) anti-Assad sentiment, (2) sectarian cleavages, and (3) socio-economic challenges. All three issues remain unresolved despite the collapse of the territorial caliphate. Given the initial success of such narratives in gaining support for the group, and the fact that such issues have outlasted Daesh’s initial territorial successes, this trifecta of grievances could still pose a threat moving forward, even as Daesh shifts (back) towards insurgency”.
