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« Syrian and Israel Must Talk | Main | Everything Here Is Political »
The Suicide Bomber Ad Campaign
October 13, 2006 8:53 AM
By WILF DINNICK
I was flipping around Arab Satellite channels in Amman last week and I noticed something rare - a slick Hollywood-style TV ad. The standard of TV production in the Middle East stinks – lots of bad lighting and make-up. So when a very polished ad popped up it grabbed my attention. In graphic detail, the spot shows the aftermath of a suicide bombing. Clearly, the aim is to try and dissuade would-be suicide bombers.
The special effects, the acting and general production value was so clearly NOT locally produced. It seemed very "Hollywood." Sure enough, the ads are made in America. They are part of a massive multi-million dollar campaign to win ‘hearts and minds’ in the Arab world. The production company based in LA, called 900 Frames, says it got money from some moderate Iraqis who would like to remain anonymous.
We do know the U.S. in 2003 launched a major operation called Muslim World Outreach. The White House apparently wanted to win "hearts and minds" but did not want to be seen as the one sending the message. So they gave money to moderate groups to help get their message out.
Sadly, these ads appear to miss the mark. Sure they get your attention but they do look VERY American and will likely be viewed with plenty of skepticism, seen as mere propaganda. More importantly, all the ads are based on one message, "Terror Has No Religion" and suicide bombing runs counter Islam.
But study after study reveals that most suicide bombers are not motivated by religious fervor. Too often they are destitute, impoverished and provoked by an extreme political situation. There is no doubt these ads will get plenty of attention in the Arab world but likely only for their production value.
The site: http://www.noterror.info/index.aspx
October 13, 2006 | Permalink | User Comments (2)
Your theory that poverty creates terrorists is common, but quite wrong. Check out this recent study by the Chronicle of Higher Education:
http://chronicle.com/free/v49/i39/39b01001.htm
It concludes that most terrorists are well educated and more wealthy than the general population. Extremist political/religious indoctrination and incitement, combined with living under a dictatorship, are what creates an incubator for terrorism.
Posted by: Lee | Oct 30, 2006 7:35:39 PM
There is evidence in Iraq that some Iraqis commit terrorist acts for money. IOW, they receive $250 to plant an IED. In one study 58% of the detained population survey set claimed that they had committed the terrorist act in return for cash compensation. Does this indicate a link between poverty and terrorism?
Posted by: David Soroko | Jul 11, 2007 1:28:36 AM
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