Inspire (magazine)
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| Editor | Unknown; former editor Samir Khan was killed in September 2011 |
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| Categories | Propaganda |
| First issue | June 2010 |
| Country | Yemen |
| Language | English |
Inspire is an English language online magazine reported to be published by the organization al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). The magazine is one of the many ways AQAP uses the Internet to reach its audience. Numerous international and domestic extremists motivated by radical interpretations of Islam have been influenced by the magazine and, in some cases, reportedly used its bomb-making instructions in their attempts to carry out attacks. The magazine is an important brand-building tool, not just of AQAP, but of all al-Qaeda branches, franchises and affiliates.
The magazine aimed at young British and American readers and provided translated messages from Osama bin Laden. The first issue appeared in July 2010. Various articles in the second issue encouraged 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.
The October 2010 issue included an article penned by Samir Khan, in which he wrote, "I am proud to be a traitor to America". Samir Khan was killed on September 30, 2011, in the U.S. targeted killing Predator drone attack in Yemen.
While some do not believe Inspire alone is enough to radicalize an individual, its aim is to inform and persuade a committed audience by distributing internal communications called "auto-propaganda" to strengthen morale, reduce dissent, or justify and legitimize an attack or controversial doctrine. It was also used to target an uncommitted audience to eventually win sympathy and support. Therefore, AQAP has the ability to represent themselves and their actions exactly as they wish. The controlled message is unfettered from the scrutiny of the local and international media.
Bruce Riedel of the Brookings Institution described the magazine as "clearly intended for the aspiring jihadist in the U.S. or U.K. who may be the next Fort Hood murderer or 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).
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