"The strongest weapon" of ISIS

04/02/15

In assessing the atrocious execution of the Jordanian pilot, do not be overcome by emotions, by the headlines of many newspapers or by the illusory revenge of Amman on pawns that the Islamic State concerned as much as a slice of salami. The test of strength was won by two protagonists.

The first is ISIS: the video of Muadh al-Kasasibah's execution impresses with the umpteenth and even more effective ability to exploit Communication as a weapon to fight a war that would otherwise probably have been lost for some time.

In the video on the web, the "hollywood" direction is even more evident: those who conceive, turn and mount these clips have obviously formed in some important schools, there is no improvisation and framing and editing denote - forgive the affirmation - a certain "talent".

We do not see crazy monkeys armed with Kalashnikov who slaughter yet another poor unfortunate with deafening and incomprehensible background.

An F-16 launches a missile, follow images of repertoire of what should be results of the coalition attacks: destroyed buildings and several victims buried by the ruins.

The Jordanian pilot walks in an unreal silence towards a destiny that he is probably not yet aware of. Around him dozens of militiamen in absolute silence, have uniforms, orderly, and some are lined up - the message is clear: we are not a Brancaleone army! The epilogue is Muadh inside a cage who, when he finds himself covered with flammable liquid, turns his gaze to the ground evidently resigned to his inevitable fate: a tongue of fire reaches him and envelops him. When the fire has consumed its prey, a bulldozer overwhelms the cage, pouring rubble onto its body. The circle closes.

Unlike what many terrorist groups have accustomed us to, it is a simple, clear and understandable warning especially in the West. In fact, I wonder if the real recipients are not the many sympathizers born or raised in Europe.

The reaction of the Amman government has been on its stomach: hanged the terrorist in prison for ten years who was believed to be the subject of negotiation and a prisoner member of al-Qaeda. A provision that is obvious and predictable. Especially from those who provoked it.

I believe that in the face of certain media attacks that have been studied, designed, and implemented with care, it should not be decisions taken in a few minutes to represent the countermove. And I fear that the Jordanian government will soon understand it.

The second winner of the challenge was the executed pilot. Faced with danger and death we can see who really is a man.

Accustomed to tears and exhortations for any sum to be paid or murderers released in order to save their own skin, Muadh al-Kasasibah showed us, with incredible strength and dignity, something we were not used to seeing for a long time: he showed us how a Jordanian dies.

Andrea Cucco