Strategy to Increase U.S. Credibility
Abstract
Information as an element of national power must be effectively integrated with the other elements of national power to accomplish key provisions within the United States Government's (USG) National Security Strategy (NSS). The public's mistrust of the United States is born out of a widespread misunderstanding and mistrust of its policies and a lack of USG credibility especially in the Greater Middle East. A coordinated strategy of policy adjustments and an integrated communication plan grounded in sound communication practices using cultural expertise and all available communication means should increase the USG's credibility. Credibility will improve USG ability to successfully inform domestic and international audiences and may dispel a portion of the mistrust and hate for its actions and policies. The purpose of this paper is to explore the informational element of national power examine current public relations processes for developing communication strategy discuss potential national security policy implications which affect the USG's credibility and offer recommendations for a long-term strategy to increase USG credibility. A main premise used in this paper is that the root of most of the USG's credibility issues is inexorability linked to the mistrust of the USG's policies or actions and that an effective communication strategy will decrease that mistrust by increasing a relative understanding of those policies and actions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 09, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA449854
Entities
People
- Wayne M. Shanks
Organizations
- United States Army War College