The Power of Rhetoric

As pointed out by a few of our classmates, ISIS’s provision of public services for Iraqi citizens and their use of violence threatens state sovereignty by providing the very things the state should be providing its citizens.   This offers ISIS a sense of legitimacy, garnering support from citizens within the state and in some cases, internationally.

This week news broke of an American teen, Shannon Conley, who was arrested for attempting to travel abroad and join ISIS.  The story follows the teen’s escalation of hostile and radical behavior prior to her attempted departure to Turkey where she hoped to unite with ISIS forces.  A Muslim convert, she had allegedly met a Tunisian man online whom she planned on marrying, and then proceeded to join the U.S. military in order to gain skills she could use once overseas.  Upon questioning, she reported that she “needed to go overseas and be trained in jihad.”

When I heard this story I was reminded of the importance of rhetoric in establishing legitimacy. Globalization has increased the opportunities terrorist organizations have in reaching sympathetic ears and potential allies.  The legitimacy of ISIS as an organization must be believable, and persuasive rhetoric in addition to positive action lend them a sense of authority bestowed upon them by a public hungry for change.  More importantly, by earning respect and admiration they succeed in undermining the good that the state has attempted to establish in Iraq. 

Ms. Conley’s actions are not unique, and she joins a growing list of Americans arrested for attempting to join terrorist organizations abroad.  The propagandistic actions of the ISIS group are calculated, capable of influencing those overseas and in our own backyard.