The Taliban's Virtual Emirate: The Culture and Psychology of an Online Militant Community

by Neil Krishan Aggarwal , Ph.D.

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780231541626
Publisher:	Columbia University Press
Publication date:	05/24/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

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).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Transcription and Translation Guide
Preface
1. Channels of Communication in the Virtual Emirate
2. Mullah Omar's Leadership in the Virtual Emirate
3. Identity in the Virtual Emirate
4. Jihad in the Virtual Emirate
5. International Relations in the Virtual Emirate
Epilogue
Notes
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

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

Nothing less than astonishing—The Taliban's Virtual Emirate 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

It is difficult to overstate the importance of The 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

The book’s concise account of Taliban’s group and virtual identity successfully develops a new method of inquiry into militant groups and their online propaganda campaigns.

South Asia Research

Aggarwal demonstrates an accurate understanding of the Islamic and Afghani cultural contexts. Hismethod of inquiry is rigorous and reproducible.

American Journal of Psychiatry

A much-needed, theoretically grounded analysis of the cultural and psychological dimensions of the discourse of the Taliban. His book shows the value of considering an interdisciplinary perspective when exploring the online discourse of such groups.

H-War

This remarkable study brings to bear Aggarwal's broad knowledge of South Asian and Middle Eastern languages and cultures and the conceptual frameworks of cultural psychiatry to examine the discourse and rhetoric of the Taliban. The insights will help all concerned to understand the religious idoleogies and aspirations that fuel some of the central conflicts of our time.

Laurence J. Kirmayer

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