The ISIS’ Discourse from the Rise to the Collapse: Analysis of ISIS’ Discourse through Films 'Flames of War I & II'

Abstract

The study examines the discourse of ISIS propaganda during its rise and dispersion periods, to conclude its ability to convince, when it is devoid of power, compared with its speech that was at the rising of the organization. The study’s methodology based mainly on Teun A. van Dijk’s and Norman Fairclough’s approaches to Critical Discourse Analysis. The researcher selected two long-films to be analyzed: Flames of War I (Flames of War: Fighting Has Just Begun) & Flames of War II (Flames of War until the Final Hour). The study found that there are differences in ISIS’ discourse during the periods of the rise to the collapse. Whereas its first film carried messages to America and the global coalition in the initiative of psychological warfare, the second one carried messages to its supporters and fighters to be patient and keep away from discouragement after the defeat. The study also concluded that the best way to combat the Islamic State group is through stripping it of the technological power and expertness alike, as the battle now becomes a battle of ideologies and not a battle of weapons.