Samuel B. Highley / Air University (U.S.). School of Advance
Librería Samer Atenea
Librería Aciertas (Toledo)
Kálamo Books
Librería Perelló (Valencia)
Librería Elías (Asturias)
Donde los libros
Librería Kolima (Madrid)
Librería Proteo (Málaga)
This study examines the war of ideas concept, as discussed and studied after the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 and as the United States began its self-described global war on terrorism. The study examines the many different definitions of this concept, considers why it is important, and analyzes polling and media content analysis data to determine views and opinions of the United States in the Middle East. It argues that the United States, moderate Muslims and Islamic extremists are currently waging an ideological battle for the hearts and minds of Muslims and the people of the Middle East; winning such a battle is important to the United States for short term operational reasons and for long term strategic success; and the United States has had little success in this war. The study evaluates the reasons why the United States has fared so poorly and what solutions in the public diplomacy and strategic communication areas have been suggested by US policymakers, scholars and writers. It examines two historical examples--the US Shared Values Initiative and the prison scandals at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba--to determine what has worked and what has not in the more than five years the United States has fought this battle. The final section concludes with recommendations for the both the US government as a whole and the US military in particular, to include reviewing current US policies toward the Middle East, revising current public diplomacy strategy, centralizing command of communication activities, and aggressively attacking enemy propaganda. In the end, the study posits that public diplomacy and strategic communication cannot win the war of ideas alone, but are important parts of the United States’ arsenal in the global war on terrorism.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
