Experts: Al-Qaida Boosts Video Offensive

This video frame grab image taken from an al-Qaida propaganda video released Tuesday May 29, 2007 and provided by the IntelCenter, shows Adam Gadahn, also known as Azzam al-Amriki, as he delivers a statement in English with Arabic subtitles, laying out al-Qaida's justifications for conducting future attacks against the United States. The video appeared on a Web site often used by Islamic militants and carried the logo of al-Qaida's media wing, as-Sahab. Gadahn is an American originally from California. (AP Photo/IntelCenter) (AP)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Al-Qaida's latest offensive appears to be taking place on computer and television screens, and uses techniques associated more with Madison Avenue than Fallujah.

Although viewership is difficult to measure, analysts say the group's videos seem to be reaching a wider audience than ever, piggybacking on the popularity of blogs and video-sharing programs like YouTube. Key to the operation are two broadcast anchors, Libyan firebrand Abu Laith al-Libi and an American fugitive, Adam Yehiye Gadahn.

"You're losing on all fronts, and losing big time," Gadahn, also known as Azzam al-Amriki, told President Bush in an Internet video posted this week on YouTube.

Al-Qaida's as-Sahab media wing already has released 48 videos this year, on a pace to double last year's output of 58 videos, according to Virginia-based IntelCenter, a firm that tracks and analyzes the material. In 2005, the terror group released 16 videos.

Groups in Iraq's predominantly Sunni Arab insurgency, including an al-Qaida affiliate, are also boosting video output and quality. Even the Taliban, which frowned upon cameras when it ruled Afghanistan, has been issuing videos.

"They're all ramping up their propaganda campaigns," said Jeremy Binnie, a terrorism analyst with the Jane's military affairs consultancy in London.

Although no in-depth studies have been done on the impact of such videos, Binnie said, "We've got enough case studies that show the jihadist media does play a role in radicalizing people."

He cited the New Jersey case in which young men were charged with plotting to kill soldiers at Fort Dix. Officials said the men had watched terror training videos, clips featuring Osama bin Laden and tapes of armed attacks on U.S. military personnel.

Binnie said recent terror plots in Europe also involved participants who watched such videos. Jihadist media "played a significant part in radicalizing these guys as teenagers," he said.

Gadahn, once a California heavy metal aficionado named Adam Perlman, changed his name, his religion and his attitude toward his native land and appears to have taken a job as al-Qaida's news anchor. U.S. authorities charged him with treason for working with al-Qaida.

An Internet link introduced his latest clip as a "Message from the Mujahedeen Brother" and shows Gadahn with flowing beard, glasses and turban.

Al-Qaida's as-Sahab media operation, which is thought to be based in Pakistan, releases its offerings in multiple video formats that can even play on mobile phones.