Nicolas Hénin used to be an ISIS hostage, and is now using his experience to help combat the extremist group allegedly behind the Paris attacks, among many other killings.
The French freelance reporter, who says the Islamic State fears unity more than bombs, was held hostage for 10 months. During this time, Hénin was able to meet the people behind the extremist group, including Mohammed Emwazi: Jihadi John - who nicknamed Nicolas as "Baldy."
Writing for The Guardian, Nicolas Hénin reveals that what we see is what ISIS wants us to see: the image presented in the propaganda, a managed media appearance:
"Even now I sometimes chat with them on social media, and can tell you that much of what you think of them results from their brand of marketing and public relations. They present themselves to the public as superheroes, but away from the camera are a bit pathetic in many ways: street kids drunk on ideology and power. In France we have a saying - stupid and evil. I found them more stupid than evil. That is not to understate the murderous potential of stupidity."
What's even more shocking is the fact that the jailers would play games with all the prisoners. There was mental torture: telling them they would get their freedom, but then telling them the next day that one of the prisoners would be executed.
Not only that, but they also did some mock executions. Hénin revealed that the jailers once used chloroform on him, while another time he played along in pretending to be beheaded.
Nicolas Hénin also said that ISIS' main aim from attacks like that of Paris is to disunite and spread hate in European populations:
"With their news and social media interest, they will be noting everything that follows their murderous assault on Paris, and my guess is that right now that chant among them will be 'We are winning.' They will be heartened by every sign of overreaction, of division, of fear, of racism, of xenophobia; they will be drawn to any examples of ugliness on social media."
Hénin further adds that the extremist group doesn't want to see forms of cohesion and tolerance, but they expect more bombs and more hate. Nicolas ends his essay with a powerful message:
"In the meantime there is much we can achieve in the aftermath of this atrocity, and the key is strong hearts and resilience, for that is what they fear. I know them: bombing they expect. What they fear is unity."
