The study examines the discourse of ISIS propaganda during its rise and dispersion
periods, to conclude its ability to convince, when it is devoid of power, compared
with its speech that was at the rising of the organization. The study’s methodology
based mainly on Teun A. van Dijk’s and Norman Fairclough’s approaches to Critical
Discourse Analysis. The researcher selected two long-films to be analyzed: Flames
of War I (Flames of War: Fighting Has Just Begun) & Flames of War II (Flames of War
until the Final Hour). The study found that there are differences in ISIS’ discourse
during the periods of the rise to the collapse. Whereas its first film carried messages
to America and the global coalition in the initiative of psychological warfare, the
second one carried messages to its supporters and fighters to be patient and keep
away from discouragement after the defeat. The study also concluded that the best
way to combat the Islamic State group is through stripping it of the technological
power and expertness alike, as the battle now becomes a battle of ideologies and
not a battle of weapons.