Part II: GWOT. Crisis Management of Modern Battle of Ideas
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Qaida bothers to mention Iraq, it's because they want to achieve their objectives in Iraq, which is to drive us out103.
It should be noted that Al Qaeda information strategy was an important element for the Bush campaign. According to D. Kimmage “recent controversies surrounding U.S. efforts to influence media in Iraq and the Middle East signal increasing interest in a war of ideas that is part of the conflict between the West and the worldwide jihadi movement104. Jihadis pursue strategies of legitimation, propagation of their movements as well intimidation of opponents by using sophisticated, modern methods of communication and public relations. They segment audiences and adapt their message to the audience, apply some of the same PR techniques used by large corporations, conduct disinformation campaigns, and coordinate communication with operations. They do this using a variety of sophisticated means, including traditional mass media and new media channels, especially the Internet, to understand the implications of a “virtual jihad”105. **** The problem of the future of war in Iraq became actual for US foreign policy of the last years. Actually the USA had to run into the new model of propaganda, which differs from Cold war by both the model of intercultural conflict and new technologies and methods of information work from the side of Muslim countries. As a result, having the complex of institutions and methods of public diplomacy, the USA run into low efficiency of information operations in Iraq. At the same time there was a necessity for Bush in 2007-08 to resist internal criticism of democrats. Example of the “New way forward” was considered as variant of crisis management and decision of military tasks. Network mediamap showed thus, that the reaction of international and US media mainly had been directed on the problem of security in Iraq, and also it is necessary to note the origin of new theme—Iran nuclear program as a method to distract attention of public. And appearance of Bin Laden new records only complemented preemptive strategy on the distraction of attention.
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[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/09/images/20070908-5_d-0114-1-515h.html] Corman S.R., Schiefelbein J.S. Communication and Media Strategy in the Jihadi War of Ideas April 20, 2006 Report #0601 Consortium for Strategic Communication Arizona State University 105 Kimmage D. The Al-Qaeda Media Nexus: The Virtual Network Behind the Global Message An RFE/RL Special Report March 2008 104