Preventing Somali-American Radicalization: Testing ISIS Counter-Narrative Videos

1. Intervening in and Preventing Somali-American Radicalization with Counter Narratives: Testing the Breaking the ISIS BrandCounter Narrative Videos in American Somali Focus Groups Anne Speckhard, Ardian Shajkovci & Mohamed Ahmed

2. Somali American Vulnerability • Between 2007-11, at least 27 (mainly Somalis) left Minneapolis to join al-Shabaab • Since 2016, at least 20 Minnesotans (mainly Somalis) left to Iraq and Syria • As of 2014, at least 9 arrested for attempting to travel to Iraq and Syria • At least 5 Somalis killed in Iraq and Syria • San Diego • Anwar al-Awlaki (radical cleric) lived there • Four Somali Americans prosecuted for providing material support to al-Shabaab • McArthur McCain (a Somali American college student joined ISIS)

3. Counter-narrative Focus Group Testing with Somali-American Community (August 2018) Location: The East African Cultural Community Center San Diego University ICSVE Counter-narrative videos tested: “A Sex Slave for You—A gift from Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi” “Rewards of Joining the Islamic State” Focus Group Participants: 10 Somali-Americans Sunni Male Ages: 21-27

4. Counter-narrative Focus Group Testing with Somali-American Community (September 2018) Location: Fill here please!! Counter-narratives tested: “Jihad is Our Way” Focus Group Participants: 5 Somali-Americans Sunni Male Ages: 21-27

5. Purpose and Desired Outcomes To understand participant views about ISIS Test the effectiveness of the message, messaging strategy, and perceived authenticity of videos Create a safe space to open discussions to discredit ISIS Discuss topics likely to be encountered from groups like ISIS Raise awareness about joining ISIS and other VE groups Offer tools to fight VE Groups

6. Findings & Significance Provides a safe environment for discussion Video believable (by most) and highly engaging Participants themselves view online VE propaganda as dangerous Many follow conflict in homeland (Somalia) and some remain sensitive about politics—videos can help to fight potential vulnerabilities Video message and counter-narrative strategy useful for dissuasion & in intervening with other vulnerable individuals

7. Focus Group Testing in San Diego with Somali-American Community, (September 2018) Views and Comments on “Jihad is Our Way” counter-narrative: Regarding authenticity and powerfulness • Somalis need to see this. It’s a first time a Somali said I openly want to join and die for ISIS. • I think it’s real. • I also think its eye opening especially coming from a girl – I always heard about girls but now it’s real. • I think it’s all the above – also think it’s time to take this seriously, we are always in some situations we have no business. • It makes feel frustrated because Somalis are being fooled everywhere and now it’s our girls who are being taken advantage of it. • I think she got brainwashed – I’m glad she was caught because lots of innocent people would be killed. • I think it’s a good video – it shows how destructive it can be joining these groups. • It shows them the outcomes are not good. It may not stop the person completely but at least they might think twice. • People are being lied to saying your faith calls upon for you to do.

8. Focus Group Testing in San Diego with Somali-American Community, (August 2018) Sample comments on video authenticity and message: • “Yes, I think it’s true; no one would make up things like this” • “His tone changes when he talked about his mother, so I think it’s real based on his emotions I can hear “ • “You just can’t make things up like this. Even when he talked about the religion he used the right terminology, like “Allah Azzawajal” • “The clips were real and geographic region can attest to that. Only someone from the region would know if it’s real or not” • “Video could convince someone not to join ISIS”

9. Rewards of Joining the Islamic State