The Discourse Trap and the US Military : From the War on Terror to the Surge

This book proposes the idea of a 'discourse trap' in which the discourses and associated terminology devised for political or military reasons can entrap policymakers by motivating or constraining their actions. A 'discourse trap' is a phenomenon seen worldwide in which the discourses and associated terminology devised for political or military reasons can entrap policymakers by motivating or constraining their actions. Beginning with the discourse of 'counter-terrorism' that occurred post 9/11, this book examines the language employed inside the US Defense Department during the period 2001-2012. Michaels demonstrates how during the course of a conflict, the politics of terminology can constitute an important battlefield in its own right. As the studies of 'Global War on Terror', 'Shock and Awe', 'Iraq Adversary Characterizations' and 'The Surge' presented here demonstrate, the language of war had a direct impact on US strategy and operations, and not necessarily a positive one Cover 1 The Discourse Trap and the US Military: From the War on Terror to the Surge 4 Contents 6 Acknowledgments 8 Chapter 1: Introduction 10 Discourse and War 11 Types of Discourse Traps 18 Historical Precedents of Discursive Entrapment 20 Conclusion 24 Chapter 2: Global War on Terrorism 26 Criticizing GWOT 28 Evolution of the GWOT Discourse 33 Institutionalizing GWOT 50 Constructing the Global War 69 Conclusion 86 Chapter 3: Shock and Awe 90 The Creation and Dissemination of Shock and Awe 91 War Planning 98 War and Aftermath 107 Conclusion 114 Chapter 4: Characterizing the Irregular Adversary in Iraq 116 Characterizing the Adversary 117 Characterizing the Conflict 137 Insurgency Metrics 148 Conclusion 152 Chapter 5: The Surge: From Iraq to Afghanistan 156 Drawdown or Surge 157 The Iraq “Surge” and “Success” 159 Institutionalizing the “Success Narrative” 163 Playing Down an Afghan Surge 165 Making the Case for an “Afghan Surge” 167 The Afghan “Surge” 169 Conclusion 172 Chapter 6: Conclusion 176 Conceptual Conclusions 178 The Way Ahead 181 Notes 184 Bibliography 230 Index 266 A "discourse trap" is a phenomenon seen worldwide in which the discourses and associated terminology devised for political or military reasons can entrap policymakers by motivating or constraining their actions. Beginning with the discourse of "counter-terrorism" that occurred post 9/11, this book examines the language employed inside the US Defense Department during the period 2001-2012. Michaels demonstrates how during the course of a conflict, the politics of terminology can constitute an important battlefield in its own right. As the studies of "Global War on Terror", "Shock and Awe", "Iraq Adversary Characterizations" and "The Surge" presented here demonstrate, the language of war had a direct impact on US strategy and operations, and not necessarily a positive one (site de l'éditeur) A 'discourse Trap' Is A Phenomenon Seen Worldwide In Which The Discourses And Associated Terminology Devised For Political Or Military Reasons Can Entrap Policymakers By Motivating Or Contraining Their Actions. Beginning With The Discourse Of 'counter-terrorism' That Occurred Post-9/11, This Book Examines The Language Employed Inside The Us Defense Department During The Period Between 2001 And 2012. Michaels Demonstrates How During The Course Of Conflict, The Politics Of Terminology Can Constitute An Important Battlefield In Is Own Right--p. [4] Of Cover. Global War On Terrorism -- Shock And Awe -- Characterizing The Irregular Adversary In Iraq -- The Surge: From Iraq To Afghanistan -- Conclusion. By Jeffrey H. Michaels. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "A 'discourse trap' is a phenomenon seen worldwide in which the discourses and associated terminology devised for political or military reasons can entrap policymakers by motivating or contraining their actions. Beginning with the discourse of 'counter-terrorism' that occurred post-9/11, this book examines the language employed inside the US Defense Department during the period between 2001 and 2012. Michaels demonstrates how during the course of conflict, the politics of terminology can constitute an important battlefield in is own right"--Page 4 of cover Front Matter....Pages i-vii Introduction....Pages 1-16 Global War on Terrorism....Pages 17-79 Shock and Awe....Pages 81-106 Characterizing the Irregular Adversary in Iraq....Pages 107-146 The Surge....Pages 147-166 Conclusion....Pages 167-174 Back Matter....Pages 175-267