[VOA News] As a U.S.-led coalition coordinates strategy against the Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, the group's tech-savvy public relations machine grabs headlines with shocking videos and other propaganda. But some regional analysts say while the Islamic State warns the coalition to stay away, its real goal is to draw the West into battle.In a video released Thursday, British journalist John Cantlie speaks like a newscaster, saying he is a prisoner of the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS and ISIL.
Cantlie was kidnapped in Syria two years ago while traveling with James Foley, an American reporter. The militants have beheaded Foley, another American journalist and a British aid worker. In the video, which looks professionally shot, Cantlie wears orange like the other men wore when they were beheaded.