American ISIS Podcast with Trevor Aaronson cover art

American ISIS

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American ISIS

By: Trevor Aaronson
Narrated by: Trevor Aaronson
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About this listen

 American ISIS tells the story of Russell Dennison, an American who converted to Islam and traveled to Syria to fight for the Islamic State. For more than six months, Russell secretly communicated with journalist Trevor Aaronson, sending more than 30 hours of recordings that detail his suburban upbringing, his pursuit by the FBI, his embrace of extremism, and his decision to live and die on distant battlefields. Russell’s recordings provide an unprecedented firsthand account of what it was like for an American to be part of one of the world’s most fearsome terrorist groups. A remarkable work of journalism and narrative storytelling, American ISIS brings listeners into a hidden world few Americans have witnessed - filled with jihadis, human smugglers, FBI agents, government informants, and nightly bombings. Trevor Aaronson, a journalist for The Intercept, tracks down the people who knew Russell in the United States and in the Middle East as he investigates and corroborates Russell’s incredible story, from his childhood in Pennsylvania to bombed-out Syrian villages thousands of miles from the life he’d once known. An Audible Original produced by The Intercept, Topic Studios, and Western Sound.©2021 First Look Institute, Inc. (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC Murder True Crime
Episodes
  • American ISIS Trailer

    American ISIS Trailer
    Jul 1 2021
    American ISIS is an eight-episode podcast that tells the remarkable story of Russell Dennison, an American ex-convict and Muslim convert who joined the Islamic State in Syria. As US and coalition airstrikes rained down on ISIS fighters in 2018 and 2019, Dennison secretly recorded dozens of hours of audio about his past and his life with ISIS and sent them to journalist Trevor Aaronson with one condition: Nothing he said could be revealed until he was captured or - more likely - killed.
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    Less than 1 minute
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  • Episode 1: Death and Life

    Episode 1: Death and Life
    Jul 15 2021

    As the Islamic State collapses in Syria, Russell Dennison contacts journalist Trevor Aaronson and says he wants to talk.
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    35 mins
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  • Episode 2: Beginnings

    Episode 2: Beginnings
    Jul 15 2021
    Russell’s typical suburban childhood features Saturday-morning cartoons, action figures under the Christmas tree, and a basketball hoop in the driveway. But his life takes a turn in his 20s, when he’s arrested in Pennsylvania for selling marijuana.
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    27 mins
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All stars
Most relevant
terrorism and terrorists give the fbi and cia a job, so it does not surprise me that they will create terrorists from innocent people who love the religion of Islam and its moral principles. All this is disturbing to say the least, but more reason as to why we need to unite against the Elites who order these men to do this to us, and to the many innocent people forced into terrorism in fear of their lives and the lives of their loved ones from the black mail of the secret services. They
remain secret for a reason.

This tells the truth, the fbi coerce and create Te

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This podcast has been invaluable at giving captivating insight into the life of a jihadist living in a terrorist state. Every question i had during the 8 episode podcast was answered with detail, understanding & compassion by the narrator Trevor Aaronson. He achieves a connection with Russell Dennison that is unnerving, yet beautiful. He masterfully provides the listener with a look into the ideologies, structures & framework that made ISIS infamous throughout the world. I will never forget this story.

Compelling from start to finish!

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The story has been masterfully woven together based on voice recordings sent from Dennison to Aaronson over the course of many months. Excellent journalism, offering a rare glimpse into the life of a complex and misguided man who sadly made some terrible choices contributing to the suffering of many. Could not recommend this enough.

A gripping story

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To understand a little better what few in the west can or want to understand. Ultimately, we are reminded dichotomies are mostly false, good vs evil is perspective in large part, and a story of human and individual suffering. There are no happy endings for most touched by war. Thank you for sharing the story and to Russell sharing so openly.

Excellent - insightful and impactful

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informative, unbiased. Narrated very well. This is not told in a sensational way, its told very cleverly and honestly. I thoroughly recommend this podcast.

A must listen

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