Master thesis delivered !!!
23/05/11 13:28
Summary
Strategic communication is wage. This master thesis discuss the term from the widest
definitions down to NATOs strategic communication in Afghanistan. The essence of
strategic communication is to convince a designated population to place their confidence in a
politically approved narrative. Strategic communication is a top-down process, where the
narrative is communicated in every possible way, through kinetic and none kinetic means.
“In military operations, actions speak as loudly, if not louder, than words” (NATO, 2010).
Is the way NATO plans and performs strategic communication really supporting the alliance
desired end state in Afghanistan? This thesis is a literature study of external communication
in NATO. Afghanistan is utilized as a case study. The thesis employ communication theory
to analyze the way NATO strategic communication is conducted in the ISAF operation. The
theoretical focal point is Jürgen Habermas theory of communicative action. The analysis is
done according to a hermeneutic circle method. First an analysis of NATO communication,
when a synthesis of the alliance presence in Afghanistan, and in the end a consequence
analysis.
This thesis argue that the NATO long term goal, a self sustained Afghanistan that represents
no threat to the NATO members, best can be achieved through communicative social action
- dialogue. Attempting to sell inn NATOs narrative in Afghanistan is a strategic social
action, and will according to the theory be an obstacle for long term relation building, trust
and coherent inner motivation for supporting the NATO effort in Afghanistan. An open and
curios approach to communication will be far more beneficial, than the current strategic
approach. If NATO utilizes its resources in collaboration with central and local afghan
leaders, the support for and success of the ISAF operation is far more likely. Relation
building and respect for afghan culture and tradition is a key to mutual understanding, and a
prerequisite for dialogue. A possible arena for this dialogue is the traditional afghan jirga
gatherings. Generative dialogue with NATO and among afghan leaders, may conceive the
feeling that the afghan people are masters of their own destiny. The worst case scenario of
continued strategic action is an afghan people with a sense of being occupied and feed
charity.
Strategic communication is wage. This master thesis discuss the term from the widest
definitions down to NATOs strategic communication in Afghanistan. The essence of
strategic communication is to convince a designated population to place their confidence in a
politically approved narrative. Strategic communication is a top-down process, where the
narrative is communicated in every possible way, through kinetic and none kinetic means.
“In military operations, actions speak as loudly, if not louder, than words” (NATO, 2010).
Is the way NATO plans and performs strategic communication really supporting the alliance
desired end state in Afghanistan? This thesis is a literature study of external communication
in NATO. Afghanistan is utilized as a case study. The thesis employ communication theory
to analyze the way NATO strategic communication is conducted in the ISAF operation. The
theoretical focal point is Jürgen Habermas theory of communicative action. The analysis is
done according to a hermeneutic circle method. First an analysis of NATO communication,
when a synthesis of the alliance presence in Afghanistan, and in the end a consequence
analysis.
This thesis argue that the NATO long term goal, a self sustained Afghanistan that represents
no threat to the NATO members, best can be achieved through communicative social action
- dialogue. Attempting to sell inn NATOs narrative in Afghanistan is a strategic social
action, and will according to the theory be an obstacle for long term relation building, trust
and coherent inner motivation for supporting the NATO effort in Afghanistan. An open and
curios approach to communication will be far more beneficial, than the current strategic
approach. If NATO utilizes its resources in collaboration with central and local afghan
leaders, the support for and success of the ISAF operation is far more likely. Relation
building and respect for afghan culture and tradition is a key to mutual understanding, and a
prerequisite for dialogue. A possible arena for this dialogue is the traditional afghan jirga
gatherings. Generative dialogue with NATO and among afghan leaders, may conceive the
feeling that the afghan people are masters of their own destiny. The worst case scenario of
continued strategic action is an afghan people with a sense of being occupied and feed
charity.