The terrorist group Islamic State (IS) issued a new video featuring British hostage John Cantlie forced to act as a spokesman.  Unlike the last two videos from IS, there is no militant in a black jihadi-ninja outfit and gruesome execution at the end.

This propaganda video shows Cantlie in the familiar orange jumpsuit – a direct visual reference to the garb worn by inmate at the US terrorist detention facility at the Guantanamo Bay Naval base in Cuba – sitting at a desk or table, which are posed against a black background.  Cantlie explains that he has been “abandoned” by his government, and has nothing to lose by making the video for IS. 

“After two disastrous and hugely unpopular wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, why is it that our governments appear so keen to get involved in yet another unwinnable conflict?” he says.  “Join me for the next few programs, and I think you may be surprised at what you learn,” Cantlie implores, suggesting that he is not going to be beheaded, at least not for a few more episodes.

The shift from the gory beheading videos is, like every other IS missive, designed to get the maximum amount of attention in the world media.

“Diabolical is the word, just evil genius,” said William McCants of the Brookings Institution.