,
8 tweets,
4 min read
Read on Twitter
1. Some short remarks about the al-Baghdadi video: It is evidently meant to boost morale among IS fighters & supporters - not only by showing that he is alive, but also by his emphasis on IS's steadfastness and enduring global power. Thabat is a central term throughout the video 
2. After emphasising IS's perseverance in Iraq and Syria, al-Baghdadi emphasises its global power. The statement fits in a recent trend in IS messaging described by @charliewinter & @ajaltamimi: the ‘unearthing of its caliphate brand’ from Syria & Iraq theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…
3. Also interesting are the visuals. We've heard al-Baghdadi several times last years, but we hadn't seen him since his Mosul sermon in July 2014. His appearance is carefully considered. Some observations:
4. I've already seen several jokes about his dyed beard. Yet there's an idea behind it: It illustrates that he is following the example of the Prophet. See, for example, this tradition:
5. Another interesting feature is the Kalashnikov. As @CalibreObscura pointed out, this is a deliberately chosen symbol by means of which al-Baghdadi embeds himself in jihadi history. Check this thread
6. In addition to these details, the entire staging is interesting – a huge contrast with the 2014 video: first presenting himself as a caliph, now as a military commander.
7. Interestingly, his appearance is quite different from al-Zawahiri’s video lectures. Rather, it reminds of Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi: sitting on pillows discussing affairs with his commanders
8/8 Along these lines al-Baghdadi presents himself as someone who is up to date and (still) in charge, visually symbolised by his men handing him reports about some wilayat. So, just like the content of the message, the visuals are aimed at empowerment in times of hardship
