Dr. Moign Khawaja

A prominent Palestinian activist’s case heads to court days after he was arrested and his green card revoked | CNN When attorneys for Mahmoud Khalil enter the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse in New York on Wednesday, they will have one mission in mind: to get their client, a Palestinian activist, releas...

This case isn't about Israel/Palestine. It's about free speech and the right to protest. They're starting with a Palestinian activist, because they know it will arouse less opposition. Whether you agree or disagree with Khalil's politics, this is about much more than that www.cnn.com/2025/03/12/u...

Good things come to those who wait… “Islamic State, Media and Propaganda - Performances of the ‘Visual Caliphate’” has arrived at last!📦📖 Thanks @elgarpublishing.bsky.social for top quality hardcover & ebook. Prof Christian Kaunert & I hope it finds its way to readers who need it the most. 🧵⬇️

7) Timelessness & relevance

The book is timely, as it sheds light on IS's state-building efforts & its use of modern media, which remain relevant for understanding contemporary jihadist movements. It also explores how IS's blueprint for statehood might inspire future groups with similar ambitions.

6) Bridging gaps in literature

The book addresses lack of scholarly focus on IS's audio-visual materials, esp. its multilingual video output. It contributes to the growing literature on visual analysis of IS videos by offering a deeper understanding of its propaganda techniques.

5) Contribution to Counterterrorism Research

By analysing IS's propaganda strategies, the book provides insights into how they used media to recruit supporters, project power, and legitimise themselves. These findings are crucial for understanding and countering violent extremism.

4) Exploration of Stateness

The book examines how IS portrayed itself as a state by focusing on 4 key aspects of statehood - population, territory, government, and foreign policy - per Montevideo Convention. It provides exclusive insights into its governance and foreign policy.

3) Emphasis on Videos

Unlike other research on IS's publications (e.g. Dabiq), this book highlights the importance of videos as IS's preferred medium for propaganda, which were central to its state-building narrative and quest to seek legitimacy from its audience.

2) Visual Longitudinal Analysis

It is the first book providing comprehensive visual analysis of hundreds of IS propaganda videos, spanning from declaration of Caliphate in 2014 to territorial collapse in 2017. This longitudinal approach offers a detailed look into IS's state-like performances.

Our book is unique for the following perspectives:

1) State Aspect of IS - While others debated IS's Islamic identity, this book is focused on how IS projected itself as a modern state through its official videos, filling a significant gap in existing research.

This book is dedicated to all forgotten victims of #ISIS worldwide, esp. in #Iraq and #Syria. Hope justice will be served one day. Deeply thankful to all the friends who helped me throughout the process esp. Raghad Al Hindi, Hasan Shaban Al Lawati, Miron Lakomy, Ali Fisher & many others.

Special thanks to @galwaygrrl.bsky.social for supervising the PhD thesis, which set the very foundations. Also thanks to DCU President Prof. Daire Keogh, DCU VP Research @johndoyle.bsky.social, Prof. Gary Murphy, Dr. Tanya Ni Mhuirthile, Prof. @debbieging.bsky.social & Dr. @gezimvisoka.bsky.social

Islamic State, Media, and Propaganda ‘Moving beyond the traditional focus on Islamic State’s (IS) visual propaganda content, Khawaja and Kaunert explore the projections of key IS’ state-like features in its official videos. The book offe...

Our book is available in hardback www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/isl... as well as OpenAccess PDF (free) www.elgaronline.com/monobook-oa/...

Good things come to those who wait… “Islamic State, Media and Propaganda - Performances of the ‘Visual Caliphate’” has arrived at last!📦📖 Thanks @elgarpublishing.bsky.social for top quality hardcover & ebook. Prof Christian Kaunert & I hope it finds its way to readers who need it the most. 🧵⬇️