 THE US is losing the war of ideas in the Islamic world, failing to elucidate its policies to Muslims wary of American intentions and "self-serving hypocrisy", a Pentagon advisory panel has found. The Defence Science Board, in a report made available today, urged the creation of a "strategic communication" apparatus within the White House and an overhaul of public diplomacy, public affairs and information dissemination efforts by the Pentagon and State Department. "If we really want to see the Muslim world as a whole and the Arabic-speaking world in particular move more toward our understanding of 'moderation' and 'tolerance,' we must reassure Muslims that this does not mean that they must submit to the American way," the report stated.
| What's that mean? They're free to kill each other, but not us? I don't think they're gonna buy it. Without freedom of thought, which includes freedom of religion, they're going to remain backwards and unproductive. Period. |
The toughly worded report said that while America's efforts to explain its policies have failed, improved public relations efforts cannot sell faulty policies. "Muslims do not hate our freedom, but rather they hate our policies," the panel stated. "The overwhelming majority voice their objections to what they see as one-sided support in favour of Israel and against Palestinian rights, and the long-standing, even increasing, support for what Muslims collectively see as tyrannies, most notably Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Pakistan and the Gulf states."
| Muslims — Wahhabis, Deobandis, Hanafis, and other allied schools, plus the Shiites — hate our idea of freedom because it includes religious freedom. It's anathema to them. Bumping off apostates is bedrock. Support for Israel's a matter of policy, and Arabs and Moose limbs could oppose it to their hearts content, even while instituted individual liberty within their own borders. There's nothing stopping them. They're the ones who get out and riot on command, not us. |
"Thus, when American public diplomacy talks about bringing democracy to Islamic societies, this is seen as no more than self-serving hypocrisy," the report stated.
| Oderint dum metuant. Where does it say we have to please them, and they have no obligation to please us? |
The Bush administration has portrayed the war in Iraq launched last year as a mission to bring democracy to that country in the hope that it could serve as a model to others in the Middle East. US intervention in the Muslim world, including wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, had actually elevated the stature of radical enemies of America, the report stated. "In the eyes of Muslims, American occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq has not led to democracy there, but only more chaos and suffering. US actions appear in contrast to be motivated by ulterior motives, and deliberately controlled in order to best serve American national interests at the expense of truly Muslim self-determination," the report stated.
| A little difference of opinion, then? They were just bitching and moaning about how we support authoritarian regimes, and then they bitch and moan about us dismantling authoritarian regimes. No pleasing them, is there? So why bother trying? We should pursue our own interests relentlessly; when it benefits them, that's gravy. |
The Defence Science Board is made up of civilian experts appointed by the Pentagon, and offers the department advice on scientific, technical and other matters. There has been a debate inside the US government on what actions are permissible in providing information intended to influence allies and foes alike. In 2002, the Defence Department shut down its new Office of Strategic Influence after critics accused the department of creating a propaganda office to spread lies around the world under the premise of misleading US enemies. "The information campaign - or as some still would have it, 'the war of ideas' or the struggle for 'hearts and minds' - is important to every war effort," but was crucial in the US-declared global war on terrorism, the report said. "In this war, it is an essential objective because the larger goals of US strategy depend on separating the vast majority of nonviolent Muslims from the radical-militant Islamist-Jihadists," it said.
| Seems like the approach we're taking toward that end in Afghanistan and Iraq aren't appreciated. |
"But American efforts have not only failed in this respect. They may also have achieved the opposite of what they intended," the report said. Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said no decisions have been made on the report's recommendations, but added that "the Pentagon will not deviate from its guiding principle of making information available in a timely and accurate manner".
| Toss it in the round file. Now, what about dismantling the authoritarian regime in Iran? When do we start? |
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