Overview

Applying cutting-edge psychiatric theories to an analysis of online Taliban literature in four languages, Neil Krishan Aggarwal constructs a game-changing narrative of the organization's broad appeal and worldview. Aggarwal, a cultural psychiatrist, focuses on the Taliban's creation of culture, evoking religion in Arabic and English writings, nationalism in Dari sources, and regionalism in Urdu texts. The group also promotes a specific form of argumentation, citing religious scriptures in Arabic works, canonical poets in Dari and Urdu writings, and scholars and journalists in English publications. Aggarwal shows how the Taliban categorize all Muslims as members and all non-Muslims as outsiders; how they convince Muslims of the need for violence; and how they apply the insider/outsider dichotomy to foreign policy. By understanding these themes, Aggarwal argues, we can craft better countermessaging strategies.

Full Product Details

9780231174268

Table of Contents

Reviews

Nothing less than astonishing-it is a blueprint for how to do cultural analysis of terrorist/insurgent activity online. The depth of what's on offer here should only spur more academics to figure out how they too can do work like this. -- John G. Horgan, author, The Psychology of Terrorism The author has a detailed understanding of the group, the culture, and their use of language. The scientific research presented when discussing psychological concepts is accurate and wholly representable and (more importantly) relevant and interesting to the discussions. -- Neil D. Shortland, Center for Terrorism & Security Studies Aggarwal who is trained in cultural psychology demonstrates how to conduct systematic discourse analysis and wed this to leadership analysis. The Taliban's Virtual Emirate will be seen as essential reading for both practitioners and academic analysts. -- Jerrold M. Post, professor emeritus of Political Psychology, Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University

Nothing less than astonishing-it is a blueprint for how to do cultural analysis of terrorist/insurgent activity online. The depth of what's on offer here should only spur more academics to figure out how they too can do work like this. -- John G. Horgan, author, The Psychology of Terrorism The author has a detailed understanding of the group, the culture, and their use of language. The scientific research presented when discussing psychological concepts is accurate and wholly representable and (more importantly) relevant and interesting to the discussions. -- Neil D. Shortland, Center for Terrorism & Security Studies

Nothing less than astonishing-it is a blueprint for how to do cultural analysis of terrorist/insurgent activity online. The depth of what's on offer here should only spur more academics to figure out how they too can do work like this. -- John G. Horgan, author, The Psychology of Terrorism Aggarwal has a detailed understanding of the group, the culture, and their use of language. The scientific research presented when discussing psychological concepts is accurate and wholly representable and (more importantly) relevant and interesting to the discussions. -- Neil D. Shortland, Center for Terrorism & Security Studies Aggarwal, who is trained in cultural psychology, demonstrates how to conduct systematic discourse analysis and wed this to leadership analysis. The Taliban's Virtual Emirate will be seen as essential reading for both practitioners and academic analysts. -- Jerrold M. Post, professor emeritus of Political Psychology, Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University While a growing number of students of conflict acknowledge the growing role of the virtual realm, as well as related social networks, in the various facets and activities of political and militant movements, we still lack effective understanding of the way in which militant political groups use virtual mechanisms to disseminate their ideology and monopolize ideological discourse. Thus, it is difficult to understate the importance of Taliban's Virtual Emirate, which provides a comprehensive and intelligent analysis of the use of the virtual space by one of the more successful and violent contemporary ideological movements. Scholars, practitioners, and others who are interested in the new ways militant groups shape their communities' and other constituencies' perceptions and understanding of the political reality should read this book. -- Arie Perliger, Director of Terrorism Studies, Combating Terrorism Center, United States Military Academy

Author Information

Neil Krishan Aggarwal is an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University, a cultural psychiatrist in private practice, and a research psychiatrist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. He is also the author of the Columbia University Press title Mental Health in the War on Terror: Culture, Science, and Statecraft (2015).

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available