Off with their heads: The Islamic State and civilian beheadings

Steven T Zech; Zane Kelly

Off with their heads: The Islamic State and civilian beheadings

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Other › peer-review

Abstract

This commentary evaluates the use of beheadings by the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. We place beheadings in a broader historical context and draw from academic research in terrorism studies and the social sciences to explain why the Islamic State has adopted such brutal tactics. We outline the strategic logic of beheading and evaluate explanations related to symbolic politics, culture, and organizational dynamics. We conclude with a discussion about the future of Islamic State violence.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	83-93
Number of pages	11
Journal	Journal of Terrorism Research
Volume	6
Issue number	2
Publication status	Published - 2015
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Islamic State
beheading
terrorism
violence
Iraq
Syria

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

23945763-oaFinal published version, 198 KB

Cite this

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abstract = "This commentary evaluates the use of beheadings by the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. We place beheadings in a broader historical context and draw from academic research in terrorism studies and the social sciences to explain why the Islamic State has adopted such brutal tactics. We outline the strategic logic of beheading and evaluate explanations related to symbolic politics, culture, and organizational dynamics. We conclude with a discussion about the future of Islamic State violence.",

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