Social media intelligence and psychological warfare: Psychological manipulation strategies of terrorist organizations

This study examines the psychological manipulation strategies carried out by terrorist organizations through social media by focusing on the interconnection of social media intelligence and psychological warfare. Unlike traditional war strategies, terrorist organizations try to influence and direct civil society through modern communication tools. It discusses in detail how terrorist organizations carry out their propaganda activities through social media platforms, what they do when directing the masses, and how they psychologically affect the society while doing these. At the same time, it discusses measures aimed at increasing society's awareness of the psychological pressure and threats they carry out within the scope of perception management and its resistance to these manipulations. It is evaluated that this study, supported by comprehensive research and literature reviews, will contribute to the literature in terms of making sense of the complexity of social media intelligence and psychological warfare. Keywords: Social media intelligence, traditional media, psychological warfare, terrorism, terrorist organizations, manipulation, propaganda and cyber security.