With each passing day, ISIS reaches new heights of ruthlessness and brutality, and the terrorist group’s most recent campaign might be its most devastating yet. According to the CIA, ISIS has invested over $25 million attempting to recruit Elvis Costello.
This is absolutely horrifying.
Over the past 18 months, the Islamic State has attempted to secure Costello’s undying allegiance through a sustained targeted recruitment campaign. The organization has sent Costello thousands of propaganda materials, including high-production recruitment videos that address the Grammy-winning recording artist by name and offer him high-ranking military positions in the event that he elects to become a member of ISIS. They have also emailed Costello hundreds of personalized messages promising eternal rewards in heaven if the celebrated songwriter martyrs himself for the glory of Allah.
It appears that ISIS will stop at nothing to recruit the rock-and-roll icon. Just take a look at this photograph that ISIS released earlier this week:
Sparing no expense in the campaign to radicalize Elvis Costello, ISIS has even constructed a $6 million recording studio in Syria that officials named “The Imperial Bedroom,” a tribute to Costello’s 1982 album of the same name. The studio is stocked with state-of-the-art recording equipment, and ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi appeared in a recent video to personally inform Costello that he would have exclusive access to the studio in exchange for his loyalty to the Islamic State.
It looks like the situation is truly dire. Hopefully, ISIS can be stopped before it fully radicalizes Elvis Costello. Until then, the media barrage continues to intensify as ISIS tries everything in its power to turn the former Attractions bandleader to its violent extremist cause.
