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Fighting the Increasing Online Jihadism Trend

While western forces fight Islamic extremists with tanks and gunfire, another war is being played out on a different front. Leading teams of academics and researchers use their linguistic talents to fight Arab extremism on the internet. The rise in al-Queda inspired incitements ? also know as online Jihadism - has caused governments to set up special forces to combat this phenomenon and trace propaganda messages to their original source.

Experts say that Jihadis are increasingly using the internet to spread their messages all around the globe. Extremists call on their followers to continue with their fight against ?evil? western powers and they also convey messages to cell members through email or even encrypted messages. The internet is also used to frighten the greater public ? those who aren?t involved in the fight. These messages usually come in the form of video images, showing the violent beheadings of westerners, with a warning message that intends to frighten the viewer.

Government authorities know that the internet has also become the largest means of recruiting would-be suicide bombers and criminals in English speaking and European countries. Through the use of chat groups, which especially target the youth, Jihadi propagandists are able to incite these young people who might be feeling despondent in their adopted countries. Analysts feel that western governments have been slow to wake up to the fact that jihadists are abusing the internet for their cause, with many feeling that the battle has already been lost.