The CTED report, produced by the Security Council’s Counter‑Terrorism Committee secretariat, documents how terrorist propaganda has expanded well beyond simple messaging.
It has become an integral component of these groups’ operational structures, influencing recruitment, fundraising, and territorial governance.
A particularly troubling development is that children and young people are increasingly being targeted, not only on social media but also through gaming platforms and interest‑based online communities.
Rapid Evolution
“The speed at which terrorist groups adapt their propaganda strategies has created an “acceleration gap” between their tactics and the legislation and policies of Member States,” the report warned.
While propaganda has long been integral to terrorist strategies, the deployment and scale have evolved significantly, making its function more central, integrated, and adaptive than in earlier phases, the report noted.
In contrast, groups such as Al Qaeda — which carried out the major attacks on the United States 25 years ago — relied on centralized messaging delivered mainly via physical media, whereas the rise of ISIL, also known as Da’esh, in the mid‑2010s introduced a shift to high‑volume, multilingual, digitally distributed propaganda ecosystems.
AI, Gaming, and ‘Gore’
The report identifies several emerging trends, including the use of artificial intelligence, exploitation of gaming platforms, and the leveraging of alternative online spaces such as Discord, Twitch, and Stream.
“Terrorist recruitment has targeted young people through gaming, with many groups creating violent extremist‑themed first‑person shooter games and modifying existing titles to embed extremist narratives within familiar entertainment formats,” the report said.
Meanwhile, graphic violent content—such as execution footage and images of mass casualties—and nihilistic online subcultures are increasingly important for radicalisation.
Merging Narratives, Maximising Impact
Another trend is the growing convergence of violent extremist ideologies across digital platforms. Content now blends narratives, symbols, and grievances from diverse contexts to maximise resonance and reach broader audiences.
Governance Activities as Propaganda
A recurring theme is the growing intersection between propaganda and core functions of terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda affiliate JNIM in the Sahel, Al‑Shabaab in Somalia, ISIL‑K in Central and South Asia, and TTP in Pakistan.
Analysis shows that these groups employ propaganda to reinforce governance activities, exploit local grievances, build legitimacy, facilitate fundraising, and shape perceptions of authority.
The report noted that while terrorist groups adjust tactics rapidly, policy responses and implementation face longer legislative and operational timelines.
It stressed that effective responses must treat propaganda as a core operational enabler of terrorism, while ensuring that counter‑terrorism measures remain consistent with international human rights law.
