Military Chief Seeks New Plan To Woo Muslims -- MSNBC
Mullen says actions, not words, needed to erase 'arrogant Americans' label.
WASHINGTON - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has written a searing critique of government efforts at “strategic communication” with the Muslim world, saying that no amount of public relations will establish credibility if American behavior overseas is perceived as arrogant, uncaring or insulting.
The critique by the chairman, Adm. Mike Mullen, comes as the United States is widely believed to be losing ground in the war of ideas against extremist Islamist ideology. The issue is particularly relevant as the Obama administration orders fresh efforts to counter militant propaganda, part of its broader strategy to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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My Comment: The same argument was made when President Bush and the U.S. military were engaged in Iraq. Also .... the proposed solutions from Adm. Mullen are actually the same remedies that were applied by President Bush in the middle of the iraqi occupation.
These policies failed. The American information campaign was always treated with propaganda and contempt by the people that they were trying to influence.
What made the difference was on the battlefield. Nothing beats communicating your position than from a position of strength and success. It was only when the Americans were successful with their surge and their commitment to stay the course in Iraq that people began to listen to our "message".
I believe that the same thing must be done in Afghanistan .... but if Adm. Mullen is to be believed .... this is not going to be the case.
Well, success is always good. But the image of Iraq was one of American conquest, in a way. Trying to get an even greater military presence in the middle east with which to sort of "keep the Muslims down." It wasn't seen as a genuine effort to bring democracy/prosperity to the Iraqi people. If we can convince everyone that we act not only in our best interests, but in "their" best interests (maybe even more so than ours), we will accomplish our goals I think of better PR.
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