Airing al-Qaeda's Dirty Laundry

al-Qaeda gangs air their dirty laundry. The State Department is launching a tough and graphic propaganda counteroffensive against the Islamic State, using some of the group's own images of barbaric acts against fellow Muslims to undercut its message. While the department since 2011 has operated a small unit devoted solely to the task of analyzing and countering terrorists' messaging around the world, that unit – the 50-member Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications -- has shifted gears in recent months to concentrate more on the Islamic State threat. The social media presence – on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and beyond – has started using some potentially risky tactics to go after the militant network, also known as ISIS. The item grabbing the most attention lately is a shock factor-heavy YouTube video set up as a fake recruiting ad for the Islamic State. "Run – do not walk to ISIS Land," the video implores viewers. The video tells recruits they can learn "useful new skills" -- like "blowing up mosques" and "crucifying and executing Muslims." Click on the link below to read more.