Middle East and North Africa analysts coincide in stating that the narrative created by violent Jihadism is powerful and one of the causes behind the “pull factor” effect. The recruits who come in from neighboring states and Western nations are attracted by the imagery of the caliphate, promoted mainly by Daesh. Fighting the conditions of marginalization which create such a breeding ground for radicalization is undoubtedly a priority. However, in the short term, in order to be able to deal with this relentless threat, observers recommend not only cutting off the problem through military means, but also through a powerful strategy in the sorts of media used by the adversary itself. What are the potentials that can be seen from Washington and Brussels?

To discuss all of this, we will be talking with the former Coordinator of Strategic Anti-Terrorism Communications at the U.S. State Department, who will be accompanied by a senior researcher from FRIDE and an associate professor from Saint Louis University (Madrid campus), Barah Mikaïl, at an event presented by Karim Hauser, who is responsible for Casa Árabe’s Governance Area.

Alberto M. Fernández
Fernández is the vice-president of the Middle East Media Research Institute and a member of the steering committee of the Center for Cyber and Homeland Security at George Washington University. From 2012 to 2015, he was the Coordinator of Strategic Anti-Terrorism Communications at the U.S. State Department, and prior to that the U.S. Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea. From 2007 to 2009, he held the position of chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, and from 2005 to 2007 he was the press and public diplomacy manager of the Middle East Affairs Office in the U.S. State Department. He has also served in Kabul, Amman, Guatemala, Damascus, Kuwait City, Managua, Santo Domingo and Abu Dhabi. Fernández has been given the Presidential Award for Merit in Service and the Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence in public diplomacy.