The Battle for Hearts and Minds: Using Soft Power to Undermine Terrorist Networks (Washington Quarterly Readers)

Although military operations have dominated media coverage of the war on terrorism, a much broader array of policy options may hold the key to reducing the appeal of global terrorist networks, particularly in economically destitute areas. These strategies involve the use of "soft power," a term first used by political scientist Joseph Nye in a 1990 article in Foreign Policy to describe nonmilitary strategies to shape international relations and behavior.The Battle for Hearts and Minds discusses four aspects of soft power. The first section of the book considers failed or failing states as havens for transnational terrorist networks, and examines the most effective ways to build stable nations in unstable regions, including focused looks at Afghanistan and Sierra Leone. The second section explores postconflict reconstruction, including in-depth examinations of security, justice and reconciliation, opportunities for achieving socioeconomic well-being, and increased participation in government. The third section examines public diplomacy, asking whether the United States needs new policies or simply a new image to increase its appeal in the Arab and Muslim world. The final section of the book looks at foreign assistance, and assesses the potential of the current administration's "Millennium Challenge Account" (or as one contributor puts it, "Compassionate Conservatism Meets Global Poverty") to combat poverty, increase democracy, and reduce the appeal of terror. The Battle for Hearts and Minds presents a balanced assessment of the role that nonmilitary options can play against transnational terrorist networks. Examining the potential of nonmilitary strategies to reduce terrorism, including postconflict reconstruction, public diplomacy, and foreign assistance.Although military operations have dominated media coverage of the war on terrorism, a much broader array of policy options may hold the key to reducing the appeal of global terrorist networks, particularly in economically destitute areas. These strategies involve the use of'soft power,'a term first used by political scientist Joseph Nye in a 1990 article in Foreign Policy to describe nonmilitary strategies to shape international relations and behavior. The Battle for Hearts and Minds discusses four aspects of soft power. The first section of the book considers failed or failing states as havens for transnational terrorist networks, and examines the most effective ways to build stable nations in unstable regions, including focused looks at Afghanistan and Sierra Leone. The second section explores postconflict reconstruction, including in-depth examinations of security, justice and reconciliation, opportunities for achieving socioeconomic well-being, and increased participation in government. The third section examines public diplomacy, asking whether the United States needs new policies or simply a new image to increase its appeal in the Arab and Muslim world. The final section of the book looks at foreign assistance, and assesses the potential of the current administration's'Millennium Challenge Account'(or as one contributor puts it,'Compassionate Conservatism Meets Global Poverty') to combat poverty, increase democracy, and reduce the appeal of terror. The Battle for Hearts and Minds presents a balanced assessment of the role that nonmilitary options can play against transnational terrorist networks. Examining the potential of nonmilitary strategies to reduce terrorism, including postconflict reconstruction, public diplomacy, and foreign assistance. Although military operations have dominated media coverage of the war on terrorism, a much broader array of policy options may hold the key to reducing the appeal of global terrorist networks, particularly in economically destitute areas. These strategies involve the use of soft power, a term first used by political scientist Joseph Nye in a 1990 article in Foreign Policy to describe nonmilitary strategies to shape international relations and behavior. The Battle for Hearts and Minds discusses four aspects of soft power. The first section of the book considers failed or failing states as havens for transnational terrorist networks, and examines the most effective ways to build stable nations in unstable regions, including focused looks at Afghanistan and Sierra Leone. The second section explores postconflict reconstruction, including in-depth examinations of security, justice and reconciliation, opportunities for achieving socioeconomic well-being, and increased participation in government. The third section examines public diplomacy, asking whether the United States needs new policies or simply a new image to increase its appeal in the Arab and Muslim world. The final section of the book looks at foreign assistance, and assesses the potential of the current administration's Millennium Challenge Account (or as one contributor puts it, Compassionate Conservatism Meets Global Poverty) to combat poverty, increase democracy, and reduce the appeal of terror. The Battle for Hearts and Minds presents a balanced assessment of the role that nonmilitary options can play against transnational terrorist networks. Contents......Page 6 Introduction: The Battle for Hearts and Minds......Page 8 Prologue: The Role of Military Power......Page 14 The Limits of Military Power......Page 16 The Future of International Coalitions: How Useful? How Manageable?......Page 42 Forging an Indirect Strategy in Southeast Asia......Page 58 The Imbalance of Terror......Page 78 Part I: State Failure and Nation Building......Page 90 The New Nature of Nation-State Failure......Page 92 Do Terrorist Networks Need a Home?......Page 107 Democracy by Force: A Renewed Commitment to Nation Building......Page 121 Strategic Democracy Building: How U.S. States Can Help......Page 143 Sierra Leone: The State That Came Back from the Dead......Page 163 Part II: Postconflict Reconstruction......Page 180 Toward Postconflict Reconstruction......Page 182 Building Better Foundations: Security in Postconflict Reconstruction......Page 197 Dealing with Demons: Justice and Reconciliation......Page 213 Achieving Socioeconomic Well-Being in Postconflict Settings......Page 228 Governing When Chaos Rules: Enhancing Governance and Participation......Page 245 Part III: Public Diplomacy......Page 262 Public Diplomacy Comes of Age......Page 264 Deeds Speak Louder Than Words......Page 275 Winning the War of Ideas......Page 295 A Broadcasting Strategy to Win Media Wars......Page 312 Part IV: Transforming Foreign Assistance......Page 328 Compassionate Conservatism Confronts Global Poverty......Page 330 Will the Millennium Challenge Account Be Different?......Page 355 Promoting Democratization Can Combat Terrorism......Page 375 Lessons and New Directions for Foreign Assistance......Page 394 Although military operations have demonstrated media coverage of the war on terrorism, a much broader array of policy options may hold the key to reducing the appeal of global terrorist networks, particularly in economically destitute areas. These strategies involve the use of "soft power" or non-military strategies. The contributors to this volume discuss four aspects of soft power. First, authors consider failed or failing states as havens for transnational terrorist networks, and examine the most effective ways to build stable nations in unstable regions, including focused looks at Afghanistan and Sierra Leone. Next, authors explore post conflict reconstruction, including in-depth examinations of security, justice and reconciliation, opportunities for achieving socio-economic well-being, and increased participation in government. Contributors then examine public diplomacy, asking whether the U.S. needs new policies or simply a new image to increase it appeal in the Arab and Muslim world. Finally, authors look at foreign assistance, and the potential of the Bush administration's "Millenium Challenge Account" to combat poverty, increase democracy and reduce the appeal of terror Defense planning had only fleetingly dealt with the threat of apocalyptic terrorism prior to September 11.