Groups like ISIS often gauge their operational success based upon whether they see an uptick in anti-Muslim hate crimes after one of their brazen attacks. In addition to causing generalized mayhem, these groups also want to simultaneously watch Western nations lash out against their Muslim minorities (which they see as resulting in potential recruitment for themselves).

DEFINE: Explains the strategic logic behind provocation attacks: causing backlash that becomes a recruitment mechanism.

Arsalan Iftikhar, Fear of a Muslim Planet_ Gl…, loc. 474