Does using Da'ish or DAESH to refer to ISIS/ISIL/IS make a difference in the operational effectiveness of the terrorist group?

LTC Stephen F. — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 15:42:12 -0500

ISIS sometimes known as ISIL or IS has rebranded itself a few times. Western leaders came up with what is considered a pejorative term [Da'ish or DAESH] in one of many open efforts to reduce the appeal of the terrorist organization. ISIS has in the past enjoyed some success in recruiting young people - both men and women - to join them through slick media campaigns among other things. What was once known as Psyops is always interesting to watch - sometimes it has been effective.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 3:45 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 15:45:24 -0500

Daesh is actually what they call it in Arabic speaking countries. It has nothing to do with anyone in West to include their leaders. If were to go to the Middle East they know Daesh more than ISIS. It has to to do with the absence of sounds in translation. In addition the term ISIL has something to do with the historical names of the countries. Syria was also know as the Lavent.

Also, ISIS is nothing new. I don't understand why everyone thinks it is some new entity. It has been around for a while. It used to be AQI but when you get a new leader he wants to call it by something new. It was not the west who picks their name.

On 12 October 2006, MSC united with three smaller groups and six Sunni Islamic tribes to form the "Mutayibeen Coalition", that swore by Allah "...to rid Sunnis from the oppression of the rejectionists (Shi'ite Muslims) and the crusader occupiers, ... to restore rights even at the price of our own lives... to make Allah's word supreme in the world, and to restore the glory of Islam...".[72][73] A day later, MSC declared the establishment of the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), which should comprise Iraq's six mostly Sunni Arab governorates,[74] with Abu Omar al-Baghdadi being announced as its Emir.[43][75] Al-Masri was given the title of Minister of War within the ISI's ten-member cabinet.[

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Mar 7 at 2015 3:56 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 15:56:47 -0500

I call a spade a spade: radical insurgents who use Islam to justify their hatred, murder, rape, and the destruction of cultural history that is far older than their religion. Or insane jerkwads for short.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 4:11 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 16:11:10 -0500

It is a sleight of hand meant to confuse and confound. Anyway, I do not care much about their Geography or politics because we would spend all day and still not understand what is going on. Outside the CIA, I think most of us have no clue, so I really have better things to do.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 7 at 2015 4:18 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 16:18:52 -0500

I have no clue as to how the operational effectiveness of any terrorist group would depend upon what we call them. However, I am certain that it affects both our military response and political posture if we fail to name our enemy which is what the current Administration chooses to do.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 4:19 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 16:19:25 -0500

Simply put, Yes. Calling them ISIL solidifies their stance in their process of being a so called, "legitimate calliphate". Da'esh is a name meaning to insult their efforts. A name is truly insightful in its meaning.

http://www.americansecurityproject.org/whats-in-a-name-isil-being-labeled-daesh/

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 3:00 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 15:00:51 -0400

Here is a pretty good description. AT it's most basic, Da'esh is considered pejorative by both the Da'esh and the other Arabic speakers. But it is technically the same as ISIL/ISIS. All come down to how you transliterate the Arabic.

Isis, Isil or Da'ish? What to call militants in Iraq - BBC News

The crisis in Iraq has highlighted the fact that English-speaking officials and journalists cannot settle on what to call the al-Qaeda breakaway behind the offensive against the government in Baghdad.