The Nairobi Attack and Al-Shabab's Media Strategy

CTC Sentinel published in its October 2013 edition an article titled "The Nairobi Attack and Al-Shabab's Media Strategy" by Christopher Anzalone, a PhD student in the Institute of Islamic Studies at McGill University.

The article examines al-Shabaab's media strategy during and immediately after the Westgate Mall attack, both via micro-blogging on Twitter as well as more traditional media formats such as statements from the group's leadership.  It puts the group's media operations in historical context by comparing and contrasting them to al-Shabaab's past media campaigns.  It also offers an assessment of al-Shabaab's current state of health and the potential for more spectacular acts of violence.