THE U.S. GOVERNMENT’S STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES WITH THE WAR ON TERROR

Abstract

An organization’s reputation, productivity, and even its existence often depend on the way the media and the public perceive its goals and policies. As a massive organization, the United States government relies on the success of the messages it disseminates to clearly communicate its mission in regards to the current war on terror. The U.S. government and the Bush administration face challenges in the monumental task of putting together a strategic communications plan to support their policies. U.S. government agencies, including members of the defense, intelligence, diplomatic and security communities, have their own challenges in formulating and executing individual, albeit collaborative strategies in promoting their mission regarding the war on terror. This thesis lies in evaluating strategic communication practices and interagency cooperation. As a partial result of the war on terror, the United States’ global credibility has waned and therefore its efficiency in promoting its policies has been called into question. This thesis studies the government’s planning and execution of communication tactics in regards to the war on terror. A better organized strategic communication, interagency solution may change the world’s attitudes towards certain policy decisions and ultimately the way the public views the war on terror. By exploring how strategic communication methods have been implemented and analyzing lessons learned post September 11, 2001, this thesis explores the U.S. government’s need for a tailored and refined interagency communication plan for the ever-changing war on terror.