Using Strategic Communication More Effectively in the Global War on Terror
Abstract
Winning the Global War on Terror (GWOT) will require the coordinated and deft use of all the elements of national power: diplomatic, information, military, and economic. The United States Government has not used the information instrument of national power very effectively to support this long fight. There are three reasons for this ineffective use of information: the competing communication functions and goals of various U.S. Government departments and agencies; an insufficient understanding of what is motivating Muslims to actively or passively support violent radical Islam; and a lack of leadership and focus at the national level. Although the President was very clear in defining the objectives in this GWOT, there is no focused communications strategy to achieve the specified end of winning the war of ideas. A new National Security Presidential Directive on strategic communications is needed to solve these shortcomings. An effective strategic communications strategy must achieve two goals: it must counter the ideology that violent radical Islamists use to support their terrorist acts, and it must neutralize anti-Western sentiment amongst Muslim populations. Planning, coordinating, and executing a strategic communications campaign plan would be an essential first step to support this strategy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 13, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA449548
Entities
People
- Michael J. Sanders
Organizations
- United States Army War College