THE DIGITAL RECRUITMENT OF ISIS: IDEOLOGY, STRATEGIES, AND GLOBAL RESPONSE

This study examines how ISIS exploited social media and digital platforms as primary tools for recruitment, propaganda, and psychological influence. By situating these practices within the evolution of psychological warfare, the research highlights cyberspace as a central arena for ideological conflict. The analysis pursues three objectives: (1) to identify the ideological principles shaping ISIS’s recruitment narratives; (2) to assess the digital strategies and tools used for targeted outreach, including gender- and generation-specific adaptations; and (3) to evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of international efforts to counter online radicalization. Using a qualitative approach, the study draws on ISIS propaganda materials, scholarly literature, and documented case studies. Findings indicate that ISIS’s success lies in merging extremist ideology with modern communication tactics—leveraging cultural codes, emotional appeals, and gamified content to engage diverse audiences. Its decentralized yet coordinated media strategy sustained global influence despite territorial collapse. In contrast, Western responses remain fragmented and overly focused on technical suppression, neglecting cultural and psychological dimensions. These insights underscore the need for a paradigm shift in counter-terrorism policy. Effective solutions must move beyond technological containment toward multi-layered interventions that integrate ideological, cultural, and educational measures. By framing cyberspace as an ideological battleground, this research contributes to understanding digital radicalization and emphasizes the urgency of adaptive, long-term strategies