How did the Tsarnaev brothers get radicalized? The question continues to bother those of us who’d like to think that democracy and freedom lead to tolerance, pluralism and other bedrocks of civil society. And the answer is more disconcerting than the question.
Contrary to founding mythologies, American democracy does not line a path towards personal success, virtue, or community- it merely sustains the institutions which facilitate and protect these goals. We know from terrorist groups like the KKK and the IRA, or mass shooters like Dylan Klebold or bombers like Timothy McVeigh that it is just as easy to choose the wrong path as the right one. When the wrong paths create secondary victims, we rely on the rule of law and the courts to administer something akin to "justice" and resolution.
The country that has enough freedom for Hustler and Reality-TV also has enough freedom for a racist drug-war, Christian fundamentalism, the mordant postmodernism of abortion clinic bombers, apocalyptic conspiraces, and Islamic extremism. That's what the First Amendment exists to protect.
Coming back from that aside, global jihadist networks have been focusing on the recruit of young American and Western teens- the demographic group prone to pot-smoking, video-gaming, faux hustling, and a generalized ennui when faced with the pressures of tightened job markets and diminishing returns on those college degrees. And Inspire magazine certainly showed up on the computer screens of the Tsarnaev brothers, who are part of the demographic suffering from a lack of purpose or vision for their future.
Produced by the Al-Malahem Media Foundation, which claims to be the Arabian Peninsula’s “media organization” for Al-Quaeda, Inspire is an eye-catching online magazine which aims to “inspire” young English-speakers with a lean towards jihadism. It is the magnum opus of Samir Khan, an American jihadi believed to have been killed in 2011 CIA drone strike in Yemen.
Mark Schone and Matthew Cole tell the tale:
Khan, 25, was the Saudi-born, New York-raised editor behind "Inspire" magazine, the English language online publication of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP. Khan had become a rising figure in jihadist propaganda and an "aspiring" Awlaki, according to U.S. intelligence officials.
But while Awlaki relied on sermons to recruit jihadis, Khan used sarcasm and idiomatic English in an attempt to appeal to Western youth. As Khan himself has said, "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that I [am] Al Qaeda to the core." He titled a rebuke of toppled Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak "A Cold Diss." Khan's ability to use American vernacular, like a graphic depicting graffiti that reads, "Jihad 4 Eva," had prompted concerns that young Muslims with an interest in jihad and al Qaeda would be drawn to a voice similar to their own.
For those familiar with the street lingo of American gangs, Khan promised the greatest gang ever known- a global gang that would stop at nothing with all the machismo required to shoot the bird at death. The Insuire post from March 3, 2013 offers access to the tenth issue of magazine and mentions nine other issues intended "for educational and informational purposes", most of which involve righting the wrongs of the Crusades and waging "holy war" to "defend the honor of Islam".
There is no question about the powerful lure of this propaganda in recruiting Western teens for jihad. The most recent issue (dated Winter 2013) is preceded by a flyer juxtaposing the quote “And victory is not but from Allah” with images of past covers dedicated to leaders in the global jihadist movement. The table of contents looks tiny next to the large yellow font reading:
Crusaders, you will never enjoy tranquility. Your nations will never enjoy security as long as we have pulsing veins and pumping hearts. We are coming by the will of Allah! O lions of Tawheed, be determined when you hear this call that no night will fall except your swords are dripping off the enemies’ blood.
Advertisements for agitprop films narrow the intended audience to those who would appreciate "English subtitles".
Profiles of recent martyrs sit next to inspirational quotes from the Suras, reinforcing the splendor and honor of dying a jihadist's death. If you're tired of playing X-box and hooking up with girls who hate themselves enough to hook up with you, why not find a meaning to all the "gibberish" in jihad? Why not join the global jihad gang made up of the "hardcore gangsters", those willing to die for their loyalties and "defend" Muhammed with AK47's?
For those inclined towards social justice, there are promptings to learn how Islam is "the solution to racism". I did not read, however, any quips about mass terrorism being an "equal opportunity" killer. Maybe it's in the back issues.
It's the "Lone Mujahidid Ad", however, that really got my attention. Perhaps I can just imagine Dzhokhar smoking a bowl, leaning back in his chair, pulling up his hoodie, and finding an email from his brother with a copy of this issue. Bored, high, maybe slightly interested, he flips through the pages until he gets to this one- and then he sees himself, the self who is failing out of school and "wasting his life", the self who will disappoint his parents, the self who hates to disappoint people and prefers when everyone around is happy and "laid back".
There's a way out of facing mom and dad with his failure. There's a way out of working as an auto mechanic, like his old man. There's a way out of all the pressures and stress of modern life. Dzhokar Tsarnaev knew his time was running out. He took the way out.
