Banksy Spoofs Syrian Rebels, Al Jazeera, and Disney
The British graffiti artist who goes by the pseudonym Banksy has delved into the world of Middle Eastern politics, posting a video on his website that spoofs both the Syrian rebels and a beloved animated Disney character. The fabricated video, which features the Al Jazeera logo on the bottom left, shows a Syrian "rebel" ...
The British graffiti artist who goes by the pseudonym Banksy has delved into the world of Middle Eastern politics, posting a video on his website that spoofs both the Syrian rebels and a beloved animated Disney character.
The fabricated video, which features the Al Jazeera logo on the bottom left, shows a Syrian "rebel" firing a rocket in the air at a distant target, to chants of "Allahu Akbar" from his comrades. The stricken UFO subsequently falls to the ground, and turns out to be the cartoon elephant Dumbo, who expires before our very eyes. While the adult Syrian rebels seem pleased with their accomplishment – one even climbs atop Dumbo, cheering – a child rebel appears angry, kicking one of his adult comrades in the shins. The incident reportedly occurred in the northern governorate of Aleppo.
The video, which has been up for one day, has already been viewed 1.4 million times. By comparison, one of the most-watched videos of the actual chemical weapons attack in Damascus on Aug. 21 has been watched roughly 375,000 times.
More from Foreign Policy

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?
The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World
It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.
Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing
The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.