A new Wall Street Journal video released Monday examines the narcissistic nature of the Islamic State (IS, ISIL or ISIS), pointing out the "incessant need to document everything the group does, as if they were stars of a reality show of their own making."
The video report, entitled "Me, Myself and ISIS," tears apart IS propaganda efforts and the subtle tactics used to portray their self-declared state as a paradise on earth.
WSJ producer Mark Scheffler highlights just a handful of the many programs IS has instituted to recruit soldiers, humiliate its enemies, and inspire fear in those who dare stand up to its barbarism.
"Everyone in ISIS apparently wants their 15 minutes of fame," Scheffler said. "There are countless self-congratulatory testimonials from members exalting the group and the fact that they joined it."
Using a variety of self-promoting propaganda tools, IS has published a glossy magazine, Dabiq, produced a Hollywood-style movie, and began minting its own currency.
"Whether all this hubris will lead ISIS to implode is hard to say," Scheffler said. "But one thing's clear--its self-promoting propaganda machine shows no signs of slowing down."