Hot on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Al Qaeda Amps Up PR War

The terrorist group's propaganda machine is more polished, prolific than ever

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 16, 2007 4:49 PM CDT

(Newser) – Whether or not Al Qaeda has regained its pre-9/11 operational capacity, the terrorist group has certainly beefed up its PR. Al Qaeda’s media arm has released at least 63 audio and video messages this year, compared with 58 for all of 2006, according to AP figures. And they're are slicker, the Christian Science Monitor reports.

They're also more timely, getting the Al Qaeda response to events onto web sites within days. One expert attributes the improvement to better technology, enhanced security, and competition from other militant groups. Experts note that Al Qaeda’s increased visibility doesn’t necessarily indicate an imminent attack on Western targets, despite Michael Chertoff’s “gut feeling” to the contrary.

[Images (9)]

[Videos (2)]

This image from video made available by IntelCenter, on Saturday, July 14, 2007, shows Osama bin Laden in a new videotape posted on a militant Web site by Al-Qaida's media production wing. The bin Laden... (Associated Press)

This is an image from video made available by IntelCenter, on Wednesday July 11, 2007, showing Ayman al-Zawahri, Osama bin Laden's deputy. Hours after commandos cleared the warren-like Red Mosque complex... (Associated Press)

This is an image from video made available by IntelCenter on Saturday, May 5, 2007 showing Ayman al-Zawahri, Osama bin Laden's deputy. The new video of al-Qaida's No. 2 leader shows him mocking President... (Associated Press)

This frame grab provided by the U.S. Department of Justice shows Osama bin Laden in a CNN interview in 1997. Jurors in the Jose Padilla terrorism support case saw this video Tuesday June 26, 2007 of Osama... (Associated Press)

In this April 1998 file photo, Osama bin Laden is seen in Afghanistan. The bulk of Americans and a slim majority in Mexico want bin Laden executed if caught, but most people in seven other countries would... (Associated Press)

of the chance to kill more Americans. IntelCenter is a private contractor working for intelligence agencies. (AP Photo/via IntelCenter) (Associated Press)

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff listens to a reporter's question at a news conference at New York's Office of Emergency Management, Monday June 11, 2007. In a meeting with local officials... (Associated Press)

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, right, answers a reporter's question as New York City Office of Emergency Mangement Commissioner Joe Bruno, listens after a tour of OEM headquarters in Brooklyn,... (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Chertoff: "Gut Feeling" of High Risk for Terror This Summer (terrormonitor (YouTube))

Chertoff : "gut" feeling terroist attack this summer (VLOGZTV (YouTube))

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Next al-Qaeda Attempt 'Certain' Within 6 Months

US remains focus for bin Laden, top deputy, intelligence chief says

(NEWSER) - An attempt by al-Qaeda or one of its affiliates to attack the US is “certain” within the next six months, the director of national intelligence told a Senate committee today. As long as Osama bin Laden and his top deputy are on the loose, Dennis Blair says, US targets will be the terror group’s top objective—and al-Qaeda’s ties to Pakistani groups are worrisome, as are its ever-more-active affiliates in Yemen and elsewhere. More»

Al-Qaeda Denounces Obama

Deputy warns Muslims of 'polished words' before Cairo speech

(NEWSER) - Al-Qaeda isn't waiting for President Obama to address the Muslim world to criticize him. In a new video, the group's No. 2 leader called Obama a "criminal" on the eve of his visit to the Mideast and said his "bloody images" cannot be concealed by "theatrical visits or polished words," the BBC reports. The president plans a major address to Muslims in Cairo on Thursday. More»

US Able to Delay Al Qaeda's Annual 9/11 Tape a Week

Intelligence efforts to infiltrate terror group's networks appears to pay off

(NEWSER) - Al Qaeda’s commemoration of the Sept. 11 terror attacks came a bit later than usual this year, ABC News reports, as US intelligence services were able to block the group's annual propaganda video from making the Internet rounds until today. Sources said Germany and Malaysia helped keep the extremist group from posting its message on Sept. 11 for the first time since the 2001 attacks. More»

Al-Qaeda Launches Cell Phone Videos

Group targets wide audience with dubbed, subtitled clips

(NEWSER) - Al-Qaeda has released videos that can be downloaded and viewed on cell phones, the AP reports. The terrorist group launched eight video messages from Osama bin Laden and No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahri, all available thanks to al-Qaeda's media branch, al-Sahab. The videos feature subtitles in English and dubbing in other languages to tap into a wider audience. More»

Bin Laden to Issue Message on 'Foiling Plots' in Iraq

May also rip 'Infidel' Arabic news channel Al Jareeza

(NEWSER) - A new message on "foiling plots" in Iraq from Osama bin Laden is about to be released on an Islamic web site, Reuters reports. The 56-minute recording will address the hardline jihadist group Islamic State of Iraq, according to the site announcing the message. It may also blast the "infidel" Arabic news channel Al Jazeera, which has been accused by extremists of misrepresenting a previous message from Bin Laden. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Al Qaeda Amps Up PR War