Finding Weakness in Jihadist Propaganda
Abstract
The Global War on Terror is an ideological war being fought in an environment indicative of Fourth Generation Warfare. Propaganda bypasses traditional defenses and strikes right at the center of gravity: popular support. In the modern war of ideologies, communication is decisive; propaganda is cleverly designed and influential communication that compels associated populations to support the cause or leave the battlefield. The Jihadists seek social revolution and rely on propaganda to communicate their cause. Propaganda is especially effective because of the nature of globalized communications -- a picture, a video, or a statement quickly consumes the attention of the world media and is spread instantaneously. Communist China successfully completed a social revolution during the 20th Century. Their revolution has striking similarities to the current Jihadist social revolution, although China had a significant capability the Jihadists do not: the Chinese government could control nearly all aspects of information within their country. Despite the advantages of globalized communications, the Jihadists do not "own" the battlefield. They are effectively using the battleground (i.e., television, internet, satellite TV), but they pale in comparison to America's potential for using it. Today, America does little to compete with the Jihadists in the realm of information operations. But should it ever decide to compete, America can win the war of ideology on the information battlefield. The appendices present posters conveying different kinds of propaganda from World War I, World War II, Mao's Communist China, and today's Jihadists. The older posters were intended to spur fundraising, recruitment, racial/religious hatred, productivity, and unity. The Jihadist posters rely on hate against America to agitate the Islamic population and to promote recruitment and suicide bombings.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA471796
Entities
People
- Timothy R. King
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College