9 chapters across the catalog
State Department Strategy, Assad and ISIS Symbiosis
State Department spokesperson John Kirby discusses the "symbiosis" between the Assad regime and Daesh, claiming Assad's brutality allows extremism to fester. The U.S. policy remains focused on a political transition that excludes Assad while attempting to keep Syrian government institutions and security forces intact to prevent total collapse.
John Kerry Meeting with Hollywood Executives on ISIS
Secretary of State John Kerry met with major Hollywood studio executives to discuss strategies for countering the ISIS (Daesh) narrative through media and storytelling. Kerry tweeted a photo of the meeting, which was criticized as a "douchebag" gathering of elites attempting to engineer state propaganda. The show concludes with a final look at the week's political events, a brief mention of a CDC sleep study, and the traditional "Adios Mofos" sign-off.
President Obama and President Hollande characterize the Paris attacks as an "act of war" by the "terrorist army" Daesh. The hosts discuss the potential invocation of NATO's Article 5 and the irony of Obama praising France as America's "oldest ally" given the "freedom fries" era of diplomatic tension. They predict the event will be used to justify a massive military escalation in the Levant.
Obama's "Contained" Gaffe and the Shift to "Daesh"
Just hours before the Paris attacks, President Obama told George Stephanopoulos that ISIS had been "contained," a statement that became an immediate political embarrassment. The hosts track the linguistic shift in the administration's rhetoric from "ISIL" to "Daesh" during the G20 summit in Turkey, noting that these terminological changes often carry specific legal and military implications.
Secretary of State John Kerry participated in multi-national talks in Vienna to seek a diplomatic solution for Syria, notably including Iran and Russia. Kerry repeatedly used the term "Daesh" to describe ISIS, a term intended to delegitimize the group's Islamic claims. The hosts suggest the shift in terminology is a rebranding effort to justify continued US intervention.
Sergey Lavrov, Russian Air Support and the "Daesh" Label
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announces that Russia is willing to provide air support to the "patriotic opposition" in Syria, including the Free Syrian Army, to fight terrorism. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry begins using the term "Daesh" to refer to ISIS, a linguistic shift the hosts interpret as an attempt to narrow the definition of the enemy to protect certain regional assets or avoid broader military entanglements.
Sawab Center, Anti-Extremism Social Media Initiative
The U.S. State Department and the United Arab Emirates launched the Sawab Center, a joint initiative to counter Daesh (ISIS) propaganda online. The center aims to amplify moderate Muslim voices and use social media tools to provide "the right perspective" on religious values. The hosts view the initiative as an expensive and potentially ineffective counter-messaging campaign.
John Kerry, Islam for Dummies and Gullible Recruits
Secretary of State John Kerry claims that ISIS recruits are often not devout Muslims, citing reports of individuals ordering "Islam for Dummies" and "The Quran for Dummies" before traveling to Syria. Kerry argues the group targets gullible people attracted to a "glamorous lifestyle." The hosts confirm that such books do exist but remain skeptical of the narrative.
Daesh Branding, US Troop Deployment to Iraq
The U.S. military and State Department have officially adopted the term "Daesh" to refer to ISIS/ISIL, following a branding trend started by the French government. Lieutenant General James Terry announced the deployment of 1,500 additional U.S. personnel to Iraq in non-combat roles to advise and assist local forces. The name change is viewed as a tactical move to encompass a broader range of militant groups under a single authorized use of force.
