http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/9/2/sotloff-executionvideospropaganda.html

Islamic State’s execution videos are sly propaganda written in blood

Analysis: The made-for-media ritual murder of Steven Sotloff is designed to send a series of carefully crafted messages

September 3, 2014 

by Rob Crilly

The condemned man kneels in an orange jumpsuit, just like before. Behind him stands an executioner dressed all in black, a leather holster over one shoulder. The killer’s face is covered, and he holds a knife in his left hand, just like before.
The message is clear: This is a ritual. We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again. And again.http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/9/2/sotloff-executionvideospropaganda.html