Most of the papers included in this volume, except for the editor's
introduction, come from the conference on Visual Propaganda and Online
Radicalization hosted in 2012 by Georgia State University in conjunction
with the U.S. Army War College. They all speak to the power of visual
images, particularly in the online environment, and the sophistication
with which a variety of extremist and terrorist groups have adapted to
the online environment, particularly through the use of powerful visual
images. The strategic point made in these essays, and which serves as a
unifying theme throughout the collection, is that weaker forces use
these materials to great effect, and to even greater effect when we
either underestimate the power of visual images or fail to develop
effective counters. The unique value offered by these essays is to lay
out clearly the ways in which images work for extremist groups, and to
begin the process of developing effective strategies for responding.