Tips on Creating Building a Kinder, Gentler Jihadi Blog
MODS: Feel free to shift if this fits better elsewhere.
Just spotted this posting (.pdf of post on non-jihadi web page in case you don't want to a jihadi page) on how to make your jihad blog not SOUND LIKE a jihad blog.
Some highlights:
Quote:
“Avoid slogans of revival and jihad. Part of being neutral is to avoid slogans that hint that you are attempting to revive jihad, because for the most part, people who do that, don’t usually present anything unique or new to the plate. Moreover, avoid having images that reveal your opinion; so as a banner for the blog, use something neutral.“
Quote:
“(I)f you feel you have something to say on an issue that will reveal a geographical secret location of the Mujahideen or expose one of their secrets or tactics or strategies, then do not speak on it nor hint towards it.”
Quote:
“Each post should not be seen as a teacher teaching his readers, but as a student interacting with his readers with his/her’s thoughts without actually physically interacting. This way, your posts will not appear to be ‘brainwashing’ but simply oriented to a more suggestive attitude and friendly thoughtful analysis.”
(A bit more here.)
So, what do you think the odds are of any of the harsher bloggers taking such advice? While the advice is interesting, and could lead to "kinder, gentler" and less rant-like jihad blogs, I'm guessing the magic of the blog is that if you're cranked enough, you'll write whatever the hell you want on it.
Update: As of 2000EDT 18 Mar 09....
....the web log link doesn't seem to be working - the main page and the public forum sections still work, though.
Hmmm....
The .pdf scans are on my own web page/wiki, so feel free to peruse those in the absence of the live online version - I would have liked to check back for more comments, though.
Further update: As of 201538EDT Mar 09....
OPSEC 101 from Caucasus Jihadi Blogger
Before I read this (.pdf permalink to non-jihadi web page), I didn't realize Casio watches and Arabic perfume were such robust indicators of jihadi terrorist affiliation....
Quote:
“Exposing features of a Mujahid (both potential and active) include …. Outer appearance, for example, growing beard, even stubble, if only it is not a norm or a trend in the society. Also, use of [verbal] expressions, clothes and accessories (Casio watch, Arabian perfume, miswak) that are associated in public opinion with “militants” or “Wahhabists”.”
And an interesting factoid, if true:
Quote:
“According to statistics of Russian security services, during the last several years, around 80-90% successful operations against Mujahideen have been carried out due to surveillance and tapping of mobile phones.”
A bit more here.