Weapons of Mass Persuasion: Strategic Communication to Combat Violent Extremism »

Complementing and extending scholarship in three areas—terrorism; the media, mediated representations, and propaganda in contemporary culture; and the political and diplomatic environment post-9/11—this book articulates the role of human communication in the "war of ideas." Drawing on contemporary research from a variety of disciplines, this book offers analyses and recommendations for people to make use of informed, inspired, and ethical communication to counter ideological support for terrorism and to promote more effective public diplomacy.

This is the first book to apply human communication concepts and theories—and to offer potential solutions—to the communication problems encountered by nations, communities, and individuals, and in doing so moves beyond critiques of failed U.S. communication campaigns and strategies in the "war on terror."

Preface Steven R. Corman Corman, Steven R. Angela Trethewey Trethewey, Angela H. L. Goodall, Jr. Goodall, H. L., Jr.

Pt. I Strategic Communication in a Post-9/11 World

1 Strategery: Missed Opportunities and the Consequences of Obsolete Strategic Communication Theory H. L. Goodall, Jr. Goodall, H. L., Jr. Angela Trethewey Trethewey, Angela Steven R. Corman Corman, Steven R. 3

2 Strategic Ambiguity, Communication, and Public Diplomacy in an Uncertain World: Principles and Practices H. L. Goodall, Jr. Goodall, H. L., Jr. Angela Trethewey Trethewey, Angela Kelly McDonald McDonald, Kelly 27

3 Leadership Reconsidered as Historical Subject: Sketches from the Cold War to Post-9/11 Angela Trethewey Trethewey, Angela H. L. Goodall, Jr. Goodall, H. L., Jr. 39

Pt. II Case Studies on Communication, Terrorism, & National Security

4 Communication and Media Strategy in the Islamist War of Ideas Steven R. Corman Corman, Steven R. Jill Schiefelbein Schiefelbein, Jill 69

5 The Iranian Letter to President Bush: Analysis and Recommendations H. L. Goodall, Jr. Goodall, H. L., Jr. Linell Cady Cady, Linell Steven R. Corman Corman, Steven R. Kelly McDonald McDonald, Kelly Mark Woodward Woodward, Mark Carolyn Forbes Forbes, Carolyn 97

6 One Message for Many Audiences: Framing the Death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi Z. S. Justus Justus, Z. S. Aaron Hess Hess, Aaron 115

7 Re-Defining the Long War: Toward a New Vocabulary for International Terrorism Aaron Hess Hess, Aaron Z. S. Justus Justus, Z. S. 129

Pt. III Crafting a New Communication Policy

8 A New Communication Model for the 21st Century: From Simplistic Influence to Pragmatic Complexity Steven R. Corman Corman,Steven R. Angela Trethewey Trethewey, Angela H. L. Goodall, Jr. Goodall, H. L., Jr. 151

9 Creating a New Communication Policy: How Changing Assumptions Leads to New Strategic Objectives Steven R. Corman Corman, Steven R. Angela Trethewey Trethewey, Angela H. L. Goodall, Jr. Goodall, H. L., Jr. 169

Useful Links 185

Appendix 189

Index 199