Hearts and minds (Iraq)
Hearts and Minds is a public relations campaign used in the current Iraq war (2003-present).
Background
Strategy and Goals
February 2004, Congressional Hearing, "Public Diplomacy in the Middle East"
June 2004 Congressional Hearing, "Iraq: Winning Hearts and Minds"
Noting that, "The United States and its Coalition partners are attempting to win the hearts and minds of the people in Iraq while providing military security and support to economic and political reform programs. But some assumptions made about Iraq proved faulty, and some policy decisions were controversial and created more doubt than confidence in U.S. capabilities and intentions,"[1] Christopher Shays (R-CT), Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations held hearings on June 15, 2004, with the aim of determining "corrective actions that might be undertaken to regain the confidence and cooperation (hearts and minds) of the Iraqi people, improve public diplomacy messages, and help chart the course for future efforts in Iraq."[1]
The primary questions the hearing focused upon were these; 1. What policy decisions made by the Coalition Provisional Authority contributed to changes in Iraqi confidence and cooperation? and, 2. What steps does the United States need to take to regain the confidence and cooperation of the Iraqi people?[2]
Criticism
Notes
Further reading
- John Tierney, “Iraqi Family Ties Complicate American Efforts for Change,” New York Times, September 27, 2003.
- Amatzia Baram, “The Iraqi Tribes and the Post-Saddam System,” The Brookings Institution Iraq Memo #18, July 8, 2003.
- Paul Wolfowitz, “The Road Map For A Sovereign Iraq,” Wall Street Journal, June 9, 2004.