Book Description

This study discusses the role of public diplomacy and psychological operations (PSYOP) in defeating Islamist terrorism. It examines the psychological battlefield, specifically militant Islamism's ideological strength and vulnerabilities, and offers ideas on how the U.S. and its allies can better focus their public diplomacy and PSYOP efforts and resources to succeed in this complex cultural enviroment. The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, it summarizes the many challenges facing the United States and its allies as they wage an information campaign for "hearts and minds" in the Islamic world. Second, it examines current U.S. public diplomacy and PSYOP organizations, capabilities and new initiatives. Third, it provides recommendations on ways to enhance this long-neglected instrument of national power in support of long-term U.S. national security interests and objectives in the Islamic world. Now is the time for the U.S. Government to develop a multi-year informational strategy for what is likely to be a protracted ideological struggle against militant Islamism. The U.S. must rebuild its antiquated public diplomacy and PSYOP capabilities to implement that strategy in a dynamic mass media environment. Specifically, the U.S. Government must (1) institutionalize and enhance ad hoc interagency public diplomacy, public affairs and PSYOP coordination efforts; (2) develop and implement a long-term informational strategy designed specifically for the Islamic world; (3) invest in critical communication technologies to ensure the U.S. message is received in an increasingly competitive, sophisticated, and visual communications environment; (4)assist fledgling independent media in the Islamic world develop professional journalistic standards; (5) mobilize NATO, PEP and other allies in support of common public diplomacy goals and to reach a wider segment of a vast Muslim audience.