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CIAO DATE: 06/05

The Battle for Hearts and Minds: Using Soft Power to Undermine Terrorist Networks

Alexander T. J. Lennon

MIT Press

September 2003

 

Abstract

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.

 

Table of Contents

Introduction:

  1. The Battle for Hearts and Minds (PDF, 6 pgs, 51 KB)
    Alexander T. J. Lennon

Prologue:The Role of Military Power

  1. The Limits of Military Power
    Rob de Wijk

  2. The Future of International Coalitions: How Useful? How Manageable?
    Paul Dibb

  3. Forging an Indirect Strategy in Southeast Asia
    Barry Desker and Kumar Ramakrishna

  4. The Military Profession and Intangible Rewards for Service
    Elizabeth A. Stanley-Mitchell

  5. The Imbalance of Terror
    ThÈrËse Delpech

Part I: State Failure And Nation Building

  1. The New Nature of Nation-State Failure
    Robert I. Rotberg

  2. Do Terrorist Networks Need a Home?
    Ray Takeyh and Nikolas K. Gvosdev

  3. Democracy by Force: A Renewed Commitment to Nation Building
    Karin von Hippel

  4. Strategic Democracy Building: How U.S. States Can Help
    Bill Owens and Troy A. Eid

  5. Sierra Leone: The State That Came Back from the Dead
    Michael Chege

Part II: Postconflict Reconstruction

  1. Toward Postconflict Reconstruction
    John J. Hamre and Gordon R. Sullivan

  2. Building Better Foundations: Security in Postconflict Reconstruction
    Scott Feil

  3. Dealing with Demons: Justice and Reconciliation
    MichËle Flournoy and Michael Pan

  4. Achieving Socioeconomic Well-Being in Postconflict Settings
    Johanna Mendelson Forman

  5. Governing When Chaos Rules: Enhancing Governance and Participation
    Robert Orr

Part III: Public Diplomacy

  1. Public Diplomacy Comes of Age
    Christopher Ross

  2. Deeds Speak Louder Than Words
    Lamis Andoni

  3. Winning the War of Ideas
    Antony J. Blinken

  4. A Broadcasting Strategy to Win Media Wars
    Edward Kaufman

Part IV: Transforming Foreign Assistance

  1. Compassionate Conservatism Confronts Global Poverty
    Lael Brainard

  2. Will the Millenium Challenge Account Be Different?
    Steve Radelet

  3. Promoting Democratization Can Combat Terrorism
    Jennifer L. Windsor

  4. Lessons and New Directions for Foreign Assistance
    Jim Kolbe