The Global Jigsaw, What is so-called 'Jihadi cool'?

The Global Jigsaw

What is so-called 'Jihadi cool'?

24 July 2026

Available for over a year

The extremist content quietly spreading on TikTok and Instagram, targeting unsuspecting young people. Through what is disguised as innocuous lifestyle content, supporters of jihadist groups like IS and al-Qaeda reach audiences outside their echo chamber. This is a recruitment drive that signals a move from direct operational instructions to “do-it-yourself jihad", with the aim of potentially inspiring lone wolf attacks. We explore the tactics used to obscure and evade detection, the challenges this poses for platforms, and how it has become a relentless game of whack-a-mole. BBC Monitoring's Mariam Soussi and Mina al-Lami talk about their recent research.

Find out more about BBC Monitoring on our website: monitoring.bbc.co.uk

Producer: Kriszta Satori, Elchin Suleymanov

Presenter: Krassi Ivanova Twigg

Music: Pete Cunningham