Are there any commonalities between the recruitment by radical Islamic groups and recruitment by QAnon and Right-wing groups?

It is common knowledge that the internment and detention of thousands of Iraqis following the invasion led to the eventual formation of the group we call Islamic State. We understand why the insurgents in Iraq, and Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan fought NATO/ISAF forces for over 20 years. But how did IS recruit so many people to fight for this putrid, diabolical cause? Well, the recruitment principals that led to people flying from all over the world to join ISIS aren’t so different to the recruitment methods used by far-right extremist groups and conspiracy theory groups like QAnon to recruit people for their own causes. This article will explain why. 

 

There are a remarkable number of parallels that can be drawn between recruitment methods of IS and of QAnon and other groups. Not necessarily with the same ideology, but with the same principals of playing on peoples anger and grievances. Islamic States recruitment methods revolved around making its potential followers believe that the group was the way that change would occur in the region. By targeting political grievances of vulnerable groups, IS was able to picture itself as a solution to a political issue, being the lack of Sharia, theft of oil and natural resources and the subjugation of their women by the western infidels. This direct appeal of unity in strength to destroy this ‘enemy’ that is doing these barbaric things led to the flooding of the region with thousands of local fighters preparing to claim back land, resources and pronounce this glorious caliphate…but instead they found themselves fighting for a despicable terror group that murdered tens of thousands of people. 

 

Now this seems a long way from people who believe in the QAnon conspiracy theory, but the recruitment followed incredibly similar principals. The pronouncement by someone who has alleged that they are an ‘insider’ to the maleficence that is occurring in government has led to people blindly believing the rhetoric he proclaims. ‘Q’ and his loyal gang of followers pray on those traditionally marginalised by ‘big government’, by explaining that their grievance is justified because of the vast corruption and criminality that is going on, and that the theories that ‘Q’ creates is true. The combination of vulnerability, prior anger and mistrust towards politicians, the rise of Donald Trump and the COVID-19 pandemic have allowed QAnon to flourish as a genuine threat towards peace, stability and democracy in the United States. 

 

Whilst the ideologies are different, the recruitment and results are the same. Both groups recruit politically and religiously charged individuals, by giving their anger and confusion validation. Following validation, they explain how their cause will allow these grievances to be resolved. Similarly, to a majority of terrorist organisations, once a member has willingly joined the ranks, it is often very hard to leave due to social pressure, and possible incrimination in illegal acts. 

 

However, it doesn’t take a psychologist to understand why supporters of QAnon have remained loyal, even if they know that they are blindly following a conspiracy theory. Once a person has become known as a believer in QAnon, and that there is a ‘deep state’ being run by a cabal of elitist paedophiles, it is incredibly embarrassing and pride destroying for a person to stand up and admit they were so incredibly incorrect about what they believed in. it is here that the phrase “pride comes before the fall” rings true. 

 

This does, however, stretch deeper than just conspiracy theories. This is the reason people have stayed with the Islamic State, and why so many people have joined them. The desire to become part of a movement is a huge aspect of recruitment and a key reason people, especially young people decide to join organisations and groups. This is the same exact way political parties persuade people to join them and vote for them in elections. Selling the idea that by joining this organisation because you will enhance the cause, be socially included, make an impact and make things much better are the keys to recruitment and stretch far and wide, encompassing all ideologies, from Greenpeace to conservatism and socialism to QAnon and IS. 

 

Just my thoughts as always – they do not represent any organisation or government or whatever it may be!

 

Wear a mask and stay safe.