Difference between revisions 108165477 and 108165478 on dewiki

{{infobox magazine
| title           = Inspire magazine
| image_file      = Inspire magazine cover.PNG
| image_size      =  
| image_alt       =
| image_caption   =
| editor          = [[Samir Khan]]
| editor_title    =
| previous_editor =
| staff_writer    =
| frequency       =
| circulation     =
| category        = [[Jihadism]]
| company         =
| publisher       = [[al-Malahem Media of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula]]
| firstdate       = June 2010
| country         = Yemen
| based           =
| language        = English
| website         =
| issn            =
}}

'''''Inspire''''' is an English language online magazine reported to be published by the organization [[Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula]] (AQAP). The use of the magazine is to increase the availiability of their message without challenges to their value system. The magazine is one of the many ways AQAP uses the internet to reach its audience. However, its message is also intended for the enemy. The magazine is a [[political warfare]] tool targeting the American and Western governments, with the intent of inspiring [[homegrown terrorism]]. The tactic is used to generate over-reaction by the governments of its Muslim population with threats of individual jihadist attacks. Since AQAP lacks the 'Open Front' capabilities to assault the West, its tactic is to attack the West using covert operations run independently by radicalized individuals. They believe this strategy will eventually lead to an overt open front attack from Islam against the West.  The magazine features the logo of the "al-Malahim Media", AQAP's media arm, and contains articles by and about AQAP members and AQ core to promote "open source jihad."<ref name="hegghammer">Hegghammer, Thomas (6 July 2010). [http://www.jihadica.com/un-inspired/ "Un-Inspired"]. ''Jihadica''.</ref>

==History==
The first issue appeared in July 2010.<ref name="upi">{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/07/01/Al-Qaida-launches-English-language-e-zine/UPI-39151277988860/|title=Al-Qaida launches English-language e-zine|accessdate=July 1, 2010 | publisher=[[United Press International]] | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.upi.com%2FTop_News%2FUS%2F2010%2F07%2F01%2FAl-Qaida-launches-English-language-e-zine%2FUPI-39151277988860%2F&date=2010-07-04 | archivedate=2010-07-04 }}</ref><ref name=Atlantic=2010-06-30>{{cite news
| url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/06/al-qaedas-first-english-language-magazine-is-here/59006/
| title=Al Qaeda's First English Language Magazine Is Here
| publisher=[[Atlantic magazine]]
| date=2010-06-30
| author=[[Marc Ambinder]]
| archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theatlantic.com%2Fpolitics%2Farchive%2F2010%2F06%2Fal-qaedas-first-english-language-magazine-is-here%2F59006%2F&date=2010-07-02
| archivedate=2010-07-02
| quote=
}}</ref> <sup>{{color|#0645ad|(click-thru to see PNG images of 3 pages of the magazine)}}</sup>

The magazine is aimed at young British and American readers and provides translated messages from [[Osama bin Laden]]. A second edition, of 74 pages, was published in October 2010.<ref>http://ia700104.us.archive.org/0/items/INSPIRE_2/inspire.pdf</ref>{{Ddead link|date=June 2011}} It confirms the magazine is produced by [[Samir Khan]], an online propagandist, and most of the material is apparently written by him.<ref>[http://www.jihadica.com/inspire-2/ "Inpire-2"] Thomas Hegghammer, October 12, 2010</ref> Various articles in the second issue encourage terror attacks on U.S. soil, suggesting that followers open fire at a Washington, D.C. restaurant or use a pickup truck to “mow down” pedestrians.<ref>[http://www.adl.org/main_Terrorism/al_qaeda_magazine_calls_for_us_terror_attacks.htm?Multi_page_sections=sHeading_1 “Al Qaeda English Magazine Calls for Terror Attacks in the U.S.”] Anti-Defamation League, October 13, 2010</ref>

''Inspire'' is not the first-ever English language magazine published by [[Al Qaeda]].<ref>[http://www.jihadica.com/un-inspired/ “Un-Inspired”] jihadica.com, July 6, 2010</ref> Federal authorities have claimed that Samir Khan, an American blogger who distributed terrorist propaganda material online with his earlier magazine "Jihad Recollections" before moving to Yemen and aligning himself with Al Qaeda, is the principal author of the magazine.<ref>[http://www.jihadica.com/un-inspired/ “Un-Inspired”] jihadica.com, July 6, 2010</ref> Indeed, the October 2010 issue includes an article penned by Khan, entitled “I Am Proud to be a Traitor to America.”<ref>[http://www.adl.org/main_Terrorism/samir_khan.htm “Samir Khan: American Blogger and Al Qaeda Propagandist”] Anti-Defamation League, October 13, 2010</ref>

==Purpose==
According to [[Thomas Joscelyn]], the chief purpose of Inspire is to spread AQAP's [[propaganda]] to the West. Inspire focuses on what the United States counterterrorism officials call "the narrative." The magazine portrays the West, and especially the America in war with Islam as part of a Zionist-Crusader conspiracy. Joscelyn continues by stating that it is a typical message by [[al Qaeda]] and the words in the magazine are partially true, but mosty mythology.<ref> [http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2010/10/analysis_two_exgitmo.php "Analysis: Two ex-Gitmo detainees featured in al Qaeda's Inspire magazine"] Thomas Joscelyn, October 13, 2010</ref>

While some do not believe Inspire magazine alone is enough to radicalize an individual, its aim is to inform/persuade a committed audience by distributing internal communications called ‘auto-propaganda’ to strengthen moral, reduce dissent, or justify and legitimize an attack or controversial doctrine. It is also used to target an uncommitted audience to eventually win sympathy and support. Therefore, APAQ has the ability to represent themselves and their actions in exactly the portrayal they wish. The controlled message is unfettered from the scrutiny of the local and international media.<ref>[http://www.rand.org/pubs/testimonies/CT262-1.html "The Use of the Internet by Islamic Extremists"] Bruce Hoffman, May 4, 2006</ref>  

[[Bruce Riedel]] of the [[Brookings Institute]] has described the magazine as "clearly intended for the aspiring [[jihadist]] in the U.S. or U.K. who may be the next [[Fort Hood shooting|Fort Hood murderer]] or [[2010 Times Square car bombing attempt|Times Square bomber]]." It was described by [[Michelle Shephard]], author of ''[[Guantanamo's Child]]'', and a reporter for the ''[[Toronto Star]]'', as being an extension of the online Arabic magazine ''Sada al-Malahim'' (Echo of the Battle).<ref name="star">{{cite news|url=http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/830248--al-qaeda-branch-inspired-to-launch-english-magazine?bn=1|title=Al Qaeda branch inspired to launch English magazine|accessdate=July 1, 2010 | date=2010-06-29 | publisher=[[Toronto Star]] | author=[[Michelle Shephard]] | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thestar.com%2Fnews%2Fworld%2Farticle%2F830248--al-qaeda-branch-inspired-to-launch-english-magazine%3Fbn%3D1&date=2010-07-04 | archivedate=2010-07-04 }}</ref>

The magazine is thought to be the work of [[Anwar al-Awlaki]], an English-speaking cleric and al-Qaeda leader based in [[Yemen]]. Awlaki is currently on the United States' "[[USA kill or capture strategy in Iraq|kill or capture list]]".<ref name="fox">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/07/01/make-bomb-kitchen-mom-featured-al-qaedas-st-english-magazine/|title='How to Make Bomb in Kitchen of Mom' Featured in Al Qaeda's 1st English Magazine|accessdate=July 1, 2010 | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fworld%2F2010%2F07%2F01%2Fmake-bomb-kitchen-mom-featured-al-qaedas-st-english-magazine%2F&date=2010-07-04 | publisher=[[Fox News]] | archivedate=2010-07-04 | date=2010-07-01}}</ref><ref name="cnn">{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/07/01/al.qaeda.magazine/?fbid=CE2WTvs0hMG|title=Al Qaeda launches English language magazine|accessdate=July 1, 2010 | date=2010-07-01 | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2010%2FWORLD%2Fmeast%2F07%2F01%2Fal.qaeda.magazine%2F%3Ffbid%3DCE2WTvs0hMG&date=2010-07-04 | publisher=[[CNN]] | archivedate=2010-07-04 }}</ref><ref name="ap">{{cite web|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hNGFqQIWGUDWxzyfckE2oP4M-5zQD9GLULAO0|title=Al-Qaida to launch English propaganda newspaper|accessdate=July 1, 2010 | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fhostednews%2Fap%2Farticle%2FALeqM5hNGFqQIWGUDWxzyfckE2oP4M-5zQD9GLULAO0&date=2010-07-04 | archivedate=2010-07-04 | date=2010-07-01 | publisher=[[Associated Press]] | author=Matt Apuzzo, Adam Goldman }}</ref><ref name="tele"/> An editorial by al-Awlaki, entitled ''May Our Souls Be Sacrificed For You'' appears in the first issue.<ref name="sky" /> In the article, al-Awlaki calls for attacks against all those who have slandered the Prophet Muhammad, including all Western targets.<ref>[http://www.adl.org/main_Terrorism/al_qaeda_english_magazine.htm “Al Qaeda Releases First-Ever English Terror Magazine”] Anti-Defamation League, July 15, 2010</ref> It is intended to help recruit more jihadist like [[Hassan]] and [[Abdulmutallab]] (the Underwear Bomber) which Awlaki has both called his "students."<ref>[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2010/10/analysis_anwar_awlaki.php "Analysis: Anwar Awlaki's message to Inspire readers:] Thomas Joscelyn, October 21, 2010</ref>

The magazine states that its title comes from a verse in the [[Qur'an]], "Inspire the believers to fight"<ref>Qur'an 8:65</ref>and describes itself as "A special gift to the Islamic Nation".<ref name="star" /> In the words of the editor, “This Islamic Magazine is geared towards making the Muslim a ''mujahid'' in Allah’s path. "Al Qaeda typically tries to portray its violence as a justifiable response [defensive jihad] to the supposed sins of the West and, in particular, American foreign policies.”<ref>[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2010/10/analysis_anwar_awlaki.php "Analysis: Anwar Awlaki's message to Inspire readers:] Thomas Joscelyn, October 21, 2010</ref> The magazine was first "discovered" online by the [[SITE Institute]]. When the first issue of the magazine was initially released, a technical error prevented most of the magazine's pages from loading properly.<ref name="tele">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/7865978/Al-Qaeda-newspaper-Make-a-bomb-in-the-kitchen-of-your-mom.html|title=Al-Qaeda newspaper: Make a bomb in the kitchen of your mom|accessdate=July 1, 2010 | publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | author=Richard Spencer | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fworldnews%2F7865978%2FAl-Qaeda-newspaper-Make-a-bomb-in-the-kitchen-of-your-mom.html&date=2010-07-04 | archivedate=2010-07-04 | quote=Al-Qaeda has opened a new front in war on the West, launching its own English-language internet newspaper, which features articles such as "Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of Your Mom". | location=London | date=2010-07-01}}</ref> An uncorrupted version of the magazine was released a few days later.<ref name="brachman">[[Jarret Brachman|Brachman, Jarret]] (11 July 2010). [http://jarretbrachman.net/?p=726 "AQAP Inspire Magazine Released (in full this time)"].</ref>

The magazine encourages its readers to submit their own material for publication: "We also call upon and encourage our readers to contribute by sending their articles, comments and suggestions to us."<ref name="sky">{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Al-Qaeda-Terror-Group-Launches-First-Glossy-Propaganda-Magazine-In-English-Called-Inspire/Article/201007115657777?lpos=World_News_First_World_News_Article_Teaser_Region_1&lid=ARTICLE_15657777_Al_Qaeda%3A_Terror_Group_Launches_First_Glossy_Propaganda_Magazine_In_English_Called_Inspire|title=Terror Magazine Aims At Western Jihadists |accessdate=July 1, 2010 | publisher=[[Sky News]] | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.sky.com%2Fskynews%2FHome%2FWorld-News%2FAl-Qaeda-Terror-Group-Launches-First-Glossy-Propaganda-Magazine-In-English-Called-Inspire%2FArticle%2F201007115657777%3Flpos%3DWorld_News_First_World_News_Article_Teaser_Region_1%26lid%3DARTICLE_15657777_Al_Qaeda%253A_Terror_G&date=2010-07-04 | archivedate=2010-07-04}}</ref> The magazine’s production users are able to use multiple third-party sources (photos, videos, and etc.) to create compelling content with ease. The use of mass media is also capable of doctoring content. The separation of form and content of the media and then the ability to ‘mash’ content together with little effort has the ability to create persuasive presentations that will catch the attention of the attended audience.<ref name="Aidan Kirby Winn and Vera L. Zakem"> "Jihad 2.0", Influence Warfare Ed. James J.F. Forest(May 14, 2009).</ref>

==Common Themes==
Inspire Magazine follows a common and strict theological premise. The ideas and strategies are centuries old as well as within the scope of new jihadism within the last century.	They adhere to its most rigid interpretation. They are very religious and devout practitioners that interpret every phase of Islam’s genesis as universally true.“Their ideology was born decades ago, but was inspired by doctrines from the Middle Ages.”<ref name="Phares, Walid"> Phares, Walid (October 27, 2005) Future Jihad: Terrorist Strategies against America. </ref> They see themselves as the correct interpreters of the Islamic faith and the in direct charge of reestablishing the [[Islamic Caliphate]].  To affirm their message to the readers, AQAP uses several common themes. These themes were identified between editions such as conspiracy theories, defensive jihad, call to individual jihad, and what Muslims in the West should do. AQAP utilizes a repetition of themes to create a singular voice of triumph, strength, and resolve. The identified enemy's position is illustrated from a point of weakness.

===Underlying Themes===
AQAP uses the following arguments based on the [[fallacy of irrelevant conclusion]] to support the common themes between each magazine. First, millions of Muslims killed by Americans; there must be payback. There are repetitions of conspiracy theories that America hates Muslims and have declared war against Muslims. There a paradoxes draw between the ideological (utopian) existence in ''[[Harb al-Islam]]'' (House of Islam) and the dishonorable mindless interpretation of ''[[Dar al-Kufr]]'' (House of Disbelief). Those in the House of Disbelief are also associated with the West which is also positioned in ''[[Dar al-Harb]]'' (House of War). ''Dar al-Harb'' is the world outside the Islamic nation that is always in conflict. The outside world is in a state of ''[[jahilliyya]]'' (ignorance) which lives outside the rule of sharia law. ''Dar al-Islam'' is the part of the world that is under Islamic law and perpetual peace according to AQAP. The second theme is the justification and need of individual jihad against the West in order to attack the West overtly. There are continual messages and lessons on the verifiability of small cell or individual jihad that is permissible. This belief is mainly followed by the ''[[fatwa]]'' of [[Ibn Taymiyyah]] against non-Muslim rulers in the 14th century. The third repetitive message is to have faith and willingness to give one’s life to Allah in order to fight ''Harb al-Kufr''. The rewards are divine intervention to be saved from pain. There is no pain with death in [[martyrdom]]. Finally, submitting to Allah requires the highest honor of jihad to protect the ''[[ummah]]'' (Global Islamic Community). To promote the theme of ''umma'', the magazine uses the imagery and descriptions of guilt and cowardice and the need to redeem past acts in order to be with Allah. Martyrdom becomes a quick fix for past transgression, a sure ticket to paradise.

===Conspiracy Theories===
The most common theme in the magazine is the alleged West’s collective war against Islam. “The magazine portrays the West, and in particular, America, as being in war with Islam as part of a Zionist-Crusader conspiracy.”.<ref> [http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2010/10/analysis_two_exgitmo.php "Analysis: Two ex-Gitmo detainees featured in al Qaeda's Inspire magazine"] Thomas Joscelyn, October 13, 2010</ref> The injustices to Islam range from the portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad in cartoons to the ban of the [[niqab]] and [[burqa]] which Inspire magazine argues as an attack on the dignity of Muslim women. “It is not the niqab or the minaret that the West is against, it is Islam itself, and these are merely symbols of it.”  The most common conspiracy is the targeting of women and children. These themes are a continuation of previous arguments by the leadership of al-Qaeda. “[T]heir theme is always the same: al Qaeda is merely retaliating for all the injustices the West and the United States in particular, has brought upon Muslims.”<ref> Yahya Ibrahim, “The West Should Ban the Niqab Covering its Real Face.” Inspire. (Fall 2010): 20</ref>  Much like the theological tract that [[Osama bin Laden]] and [[Ayman al-Zawahiri]] have released from [[al-Qaeda]] proper. AQAP uses previous messages from their inspirational leaders to provide Muslims reasons why to hate and fight the West.

===Defensive Jihad===
Declarations are made for Muslims to rise in defense of their Prophet, families, justice, and the umma. AQAP propagates that the U.S. is bombing of Yemen and categorically targeting women and children. Thus they use this alleged targetting as justification of [[Omar al-Faruq]]’s
<!-- contributor confused [[Omar al-Faruq]] with [[Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab]] (the underwear bomber) -->attack as retaliation. “Al Qaeda says that violence is just retribution for Western injustices and that Islam authorizes this position.”<ref> Raymond Ibrahim, ''The Al Qaeda Reader'', 6.</ref>  In an interview of Abu Basir in the Summer 2010 periodical, Basir explains the need to retaliate because of the greed of the Americans. The imagery attached along with the argument shows a progression of the argument. The first two photos show Times Square and [[Muhammad bin Nayef]], the Saudi Assistant Minister. Those photos are linked together in the argument as the problem. Below is the result, a dying or dead child. At the bottom is the solution, a picture of Omar al-Faruq, in response to America’s transgressions, AQAP merely responded in defense.  “Al Qaeda typically tries to portray its violence as a justifiable response [defensive jihad] to the supposed sins of the West and, in particular, American foreign policies.”<ref>[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2010/10/analysis_anwar_awlaki.php "Analysis: Anwar Awlaki's message to Inspire readers:] Thomas Joscelyn, October 21, 2010</ref>

===Call to Individual Jihad===
The articles inside Inspire are used to incite rage against non-believers and the West. The Recruiting pitch is based off the conspiracy theories and through the ideology of defensive jihad. The periodical explains what to expect in jihad and the theory of open front jihad and individual jihad. The arguments presented explain the difficulty of an open front engagement with American forces and the difficulty of traveling overseas to conduct jihad. Therefore, the solution for Muslims is individual obligatory (fard’ayn) jihad to attack while the Islamic nation is strategically weak.  “[S]pontatenous operations performed by individuals and cells here and there over the whole world, without connections between them, have put the local and international intelligence apparatus in a state of confusion, as arresting the members of aborted cells does not influence the operational activities of others who are not connected with them.”<ref>Abu Mus Ab Al-Suri, “The Jihadi Experience: The Open Fronts and The Individual Initiative,” Inspire, (Fall 2010): 20.</ref>  

=="Open Source Jihad"==
Inspire magazine promotes “open source jihad.” This shift in terrorism moves away from al Qaeda’s traditional attacks to simple attacks from individuals using common weapons. The Summer 2010 Issue advises making a pipe bomb using everyday materials. (“How to Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of your Mom”) The Fall 2010 Issue encourages using one's car to “mow down” people in crowded places. (The Ultimate Mowing Machine”) The Winter 2010 Issue discusses how to blow up buildings. (“Destroying Buildings”) All these methods are to provide individuals with simple methods to conduct terror attacks with no direct ties to al Qaeda or its affiliates. It has become too great a threat to travel abroad and receive training in al Qaeda training camps and direct contact with al Qaeda members endangers the member and the aspiring terrorist. Therefore, AQAP's “open source jihad” is to promote attacks without the traditional support of a physical community. Marc Sageman, a leading expert in the field, describes this phenomenon as “leaderless Jihad.”<ref name="Marc Sageman"> Leaderless Jihad: Terror Networks in the Twenty-First Century, (Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2008).</ref> While he consider this threat as “self-limiting” and one that will quickly die out, the difficulties in stopping the lone wolf attackers are great. Fortunately, law enforcement have been very successful in identifying and stopping many of these attacks.

==Authenticity==
Some scholars, such as [[Thomas Hegghammer]] (of the [[Norwegian Defence Research Establishment]]) and [[Jarret Brachman]], have argued that the magazine is an unexceptional example of jihadist online literature and does not deserve the media attention it has received.<ref name="hegghammer" /><ref name="brachman" /> Hegghammer writes that "there is nothing particularly new or uniquely worrying" about the magazine's content, and its connection to AQAP is likely weak: "Without signals intelligence it is extremely difficult to determine the precise nature of the link between the editors and the AQAP leadership. Judging from the amount of recycled material in ''Inspire'', I would be surprised if the AQAP connection is very strong."<ref name="hegghammer">Hegghammer, Thomas (6 July 2010). [http://www.jihadica.com/un-inspired/ "Un-Inspired"]. ''Jihadica''.</ref>

While the [[SITE Institute]] and at least one senior U.S. government official have described ''Inspire'' as authentic, there has been some speculation on jihadist websites and elsewhere that the magazine, due to its low quality, may have been a hoax.<ref name="atlantic-2010-07-01b">{{cite web
| url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/07/so-is-it-an-inspired-parody/59020/
| title=So Is it an Inspired Parody?
| accessdate=2010-07-01
| publisher=[[Atlantic magazine]]
| date=2010-07-01
| author=[[Marc Ambinder]]
| archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theatlantic.com%2Fpolitics%2Farchive%2F2010%2F07%2Fso-is-it-an-inspired-parody%2F59020%2F&date=2010-07-04
| archivedate=2010-07-04
| quote=What's to make of Al Qaeda's first foray into the English-language magazine publishing business? To a lot of folks here, including our publisher, it reads almost like an Onion parody.
}}</ref> This view has been advocated, in particular, by Max Fisher, a writer for ''[[The Atlantic]]''.<ref name=Atlantic-2010-07-01>{{cite news
| url=http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2010/07/5-reasons-to-doubt-al-qaeda-magazines-authenticity/59035/
| title=5 Reasons to Doubt Al-Qaeda Magazine's Authenticity
| publisher=[[Atlantic magazine]]
| date=2010-07-01
| author=[[Max Fisher]]
| archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theatlantic.com%2Finternational%2Farchive%2F2010%2F07%2F5-reasons-to-doubt-al-qaeda-magazines-authenticity%2F59035%2F&date=2010-07-02
| archivedate=2010-07-02
| quote=
}}</ref> Fisher listed five reasons to suspect the publication is a hoax.<ref name=Atlantic-2010-07-01>{{cite news
| url=http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2010/07/5-reasons-to-doubt-al-qaeda-magazines-authenticity/59035/
| title=5 Reasons to Doubt Al-Qaeda Magazine's Authenticity
| publisher=[[Atlantic magazine]]
| date=2010-07-01
| author=[[Max Fisher]]
| archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theatlantic.com%2Finternational%2Farchive%2F2010%2F07%2F5-reasons-to-doubt-al-qaeda-magazines-authenticity%2F59035%2F&date=2010-07-02
| archivedate=2010-07-02
| quote=
}}</ref> According to Fisher, the [[portable document format]] (PDF) file that contained the first issue also contained a [[computer virus]].
Fisher noted that the magazine contained an article by [[Abu Mu'sab al-Suri]], noting that al-Suri had been in Guantanamo since 2005, and that whether he was actually tied to al Qaeda remained unclear.

[[Peter Bergen]], the national security analyst for ''[[CNN]]'', describing it as "a slick Web-based publication, heavy on photographs and graphics that, unusually for a jihadist [[house organ|organ]], is written in colloquial English", on 31 March 2011 discussed the column of Yemeni-American cleric [[Anwar al-Awlaki]], a leader of AQAP, in its fifth issue.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/03/31/bergen.al.qaeda.responds/?hpt=C2 Al Qaeda responds to CNN], ''[[CNN]]'', 31 March 2011</ref>

==Audience==
Inspire magazine is a unique terrorist publication in that it is very specific in the audience in which it targets instead of publishing general ideological arguments to all Muslims. Studies in terrorism<ref name="Mitchell D. Silber and Arvin Bhatt"> “Radicalization in the West: The Home Grown Threat,” New York City Policy Department (2007) .</ref><ref name="Marc Sageman"> “A Strategy for Fighting International Islamist Terrorists” The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, July, 2008, 225.).</ref> have noted that most Islamic terrorist attacks on the West are from people living in the west, well educated, and young men with the average age of 26.<ref name="Marc Sageman"> “A Strategy for Fighting International Islamist Terrorists” The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, July, 2008.).</ref> AQAP also knows this and is targeting this demographic with their publication. While other publications have been focused more on the ideological issues with complex theological arguments, such as Jihad Recollection,  
[[Azzam Publications]], Qadaya Jihadiyya, and other non-English language publications, Inspire focuses on action and appeals to youths in the modern, flashy style of Western magazines.

One example is in the use of imagery and text in the operations of [[Abyan]] in the Fall 2010 release. The images were of operations that attacked Yemeni troops at checkpoints, base ambushes, explosions, and cleaning the streets (killing the enemy). The photos showed images of action and carnage performed by the [[mujahid]] against the [[murtad]].  The captions told a story of victory for the holy warriors with little to no casualties. Images and message give a story of invincibility and defeat of Yemen’s Special Forces. It also proclaims support for AQAP within the community. The article targeted both audience demographics of Westerners (far enemy) and Yemenis (near enemy).

==Examples of Open Source Jihad==
Open Source Jihad allows for an emotional response to events and validation in smaller, less spectacular attacks, such as [[Arid Uka]]’s attack on American servicemen in Germany March 2nd, 2011.<ref name=“Souad Mekhennet"> “Frankfurt Attack Mystifies Suspect’s Family,” New York Times, March 8, 2011.  .</ref>  Uka had no formal training except through the Internet where he saw a video of American servicemen raping a girl.<ref name="Rusty Shackleford"> “Why False Enemy Propaganda Matters: German Jihadi Motivated by Fake US Soldier Rape Video” The Jawa Report, March 4, 2011.</ref> Though the video was falsified al Qaeda propaganda, it was meant to elicit strong responses from their followers.<ref name=> "Details Emerge in Frankfurt Airport Attack” STRATFOR, March 3, 2011. </ref>  He not only was outraged by it, but was encouraged to attack using very simple methods that were not spectacular in the manner of al Qaeda Core. This was a prime example of the effectiveness of Inspire related types of attacks in which law enforcement or intelligence agencies will be unable to uncover or intercede.  

==Future of AQAP and Inspire==
[[STRATFOR]] forecasts that 2011 will be a year filled with grassroots jihadist activity.<ref name=> “Jihadism in 2011: A Persistent Grassroots Threat” STRATFOR, January 24, 2011. .</ref>  The future of AQAP has the possibility of gaining greater importance as their position in Yemen strengthens. They have remained safe in the tribal culture, protected by the people and our counterterrorism efforts have not been as successful because of this.<ref name="Scott Stewart"> “AQAP and the Vacuum of Authority in Yemen,” STRATFOR, March 31, 2011. .</ref>  With the chaos in Yemen and the region and a shift in the power structure to [[Mohsin]], AQAP could gain the breathing room to initiate more attacks to give them greater credibility and a larger audience to influence with their media arm and Inspire magazine. With the death of [[Osama bin Laden]] on May 2, 2011, AQAP is the leading ideological figurehead of al Qaeda and their role in promoting the movement will grow even greater.

==Contents==
===Inspire: Summer 2010===
* “May Our Souls be Sacrificed for You!”  Feature article by Anwar al-Awlaki
* “Interview with Shaykh Abu Basir”
* “Open Source Jihad: Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of your Mom” by the AQ Chef
* “Six calls of al-Anfal” by Shaykh ‘Umar Hussain
* “Don’t be sad: O our Brothers in al-Shabab al-Mujahidin” by Abu Atta
* “Message to the People of Yemen” by Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri
* “The Way to Save the Earth” by Shaykh Usamah bin Ladin
* “The Fight over the Mountains” by Adnan Muhammad ‘Ali As-Sa’igh
* “Shaykh Anwar’s Message to the American People and Muslims in the West” by Shaykh Anwar al-Awlaki
* “How to Use Asrar al-Mujahideen: Sending and receiving Encrypted Messages” by Terr0r1st
* “The Jihadi Experiences: The Schools of Jihad” by Abu Mus’ab al-Suri
* “The West Should Ban the Niqab Covering its Real Face” by Yahya Ibrahim
* “What to expect in Jihad (Part 1)” by Mukhtar Hassan

===Inspire: Fall 2010===
* “The Operations of Abyan in Images” Courtesy of al-Malahem
* “I am proud to be a traitor to America” by Samir Khan
* “The New Mardin Declaration” by Shaykh Anwar al-Awlaki
* “Interview with Shaykh Abu Sufyan al-Azdi
* “My life in Jihad” by Cmdr. ‘Uthman al-Ghamidi
* “Obama’s ploy and the peak of Islam” by Shaykh Ibrahim al-Banna
* “A Call to Islam” by Hazim Noor
* “Legitimate Demands 2” by Adam Yahiye Gadahn
* “O Hesitant one: It’s an Obligation!” by Abu Dujanah al-Khurasani
* “What to Expect in Jihad (2)” by Mukhtar Hassan
* “The Jihadi Experience: The Open Fronts and Individual Initiative” by Abu Mus’ab al-Suri
* Open Source Jihad: by Yahya Ibrahim
* “The Ultimate Mowing Machine”  
* “Tips for Our Brothers in the United Snakes of America”
* “Asrar al-Mujahideen 2.0 extras” by Terr0r1st  

===Inspire: Special Issue: November 2010===
* “$4,200” by Yahya Ibrahim
* “The Objectives of Operation Hemorrhage” by the Head of Foreign Operations
* “Technical Details” by Ikrimah al-Muhajir (Explosives Department)
* “Tawaghit Expose” by Shaykh Ibrahim al-Bann
* Exclusive Images

===Inspire: Winter 2010===
* “The Ruling on Dispossessing the disbelievers wealth in Dar al-Harb” by Anwar al-Awlaki
* “Q&A with Shaykh Adil al-Abbab on targeting non-Muslim civilians and Yemeni soldiers”  
* “The Jihad of Abyan” by Abu Zakaria al-Eritri
* “The Central Issue” by Samir Khan
* “Which is better: Martyrdom or Victory?” by Abu Khowla
* “Why did I choose al-Qaeda” by Shaykh Abu Mus’ab al-Awlaki
* “Roshanara & Taimour: Followers of borderless loyalty” by Muhammad al-Sana’ani
* “The Jihadi Experiences: The Military theory of Open Fronts” by Abu Mus’ab al-Suri
* “In order that they taste some of what we tasted” by Shaykh Usama bin Ladin
* “What to expect in Jihad? (3)” by Mukhtar Hassan
* “The Call of the Qur’an” by Hazim Noor
* “Know that Jihad is your duty” by Adam Gadahn
* “Destroying Buildings” by the AQ Chef
* “Training with the AK” by Abu Salih
* “Advise for those who want to help al-Malahem Media” by Terr0r1st

=== Inspire: Spring 2011 ===
Published 29 March 2011, 70 pp.<ref>[http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5155.htm Issue V of 'Inspire,' the English-Language Magazine of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula – A General Review], Steven Stalinsky, ''[[MEMRI]]'', 30 March 2011</ref>
* "The Tsunami of Change" by Anwar al-Awlaki<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/03/31/bergen.al.qaeda.responds/ Al Qaeda responds to CNN], Peter Bergen, ''[[CNN]]'', 31 March 2011</ref><ref>[http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5153.htm Inspire V, Part V: Editor Yahya Ibrahim Says that the Middle East Protests Help Al-Qaeda], ''[[MEMRI]]'', 30 March 2011</ref>
* “The Short and Long term plans after protests” by Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri
* “The Overlooked Backdrop” by Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri
* “Al-Saud: Lodging a Criminal” by Shaykh Ibrahim al-Rubaish
* “The Oppressors’ End” by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Qadir al-Murshedi
* “The Egyptian” by Samir Khan
* “The Way Forward” by Abu Suhail
* “Individual Terrorism Jihad” by Abu Mus’ab al-Suri
* “The Middle Path and the Enemy’s plot” by Shaykh Abu Yahya al-Libi
* “What to expect in Jihad? [4]” by Mukhtar Hassan
* “A Reply to a Question on Yemen’s Assistance and its People” by Shaykh Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi
* “My Life in Fallujah” by Hashim al-Hindi
* “Why did I choose al-Qaeda? [2]” by Shaykh Abu Mus’ab al-Awlaki”
* “AQAP Military Report”
* "Interview with AQAP Military Commander Qasem Al-Raymi" (aka Abu Huraira Al-San'ani)<ref>[http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5154.htm Inspire V, Part VI: Interview with AQAP Military Commander Qasem Al-Raymi], ''[[MEMRI]]'', 30 March 2011</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{refbegin}}

===See Also===
* Pakistani-American Samir Khan possible publisher author http://www.aolnews.com/surge-desk/article/jihadist-magazine-inspire-has-many-competitors-title-wise/19670725
{{refend}}

==External links==
*[http://inshallahshaheed.blogspot.com/ Samir Khan's blog], 2004-2005

[[Category:Publications established in 2010]]
[[Category:Al-Qaeda propaganda]]
[[Category:Online magazines]]