INTRODUCTION
This SOLLIMS Sampler showcases the value of Strategic Communication /
Messaging in Peace & Stability Operations. Along with a selection of thoughtprovoking lessons, this Sampler provides an extensive list of references,
reports, and articles (see pages 36-38) that can serve as a “toolkit” for leaders,
planners, and practitioners. Among the many resources, you’ll find the following:
“Communication Strategy and Synchronization,” Joint Staff J7 Deployable
Training Division (DTD), May 2016
“Joint Doctrine Note 2-13, Commander’s Communication Synchronization,”
Joint Staff, 16 December 2013
“JP 3-13 Information Operations,” Joint Staff, 20 November 2014
“JP 3-13.2 Military Information Support Operations,” Joint Staff, 21 November
2014
“JP 3-61 Public Affairs,” Joint Staff, 19 August 2016
“Narrative and CIMIC: Understanding Military Activities through the Eyes of
the Local Population,” Andrée Mulder, CCOE CIMIC Messenger, May 2013
“Strategic Communication in Counter Terrorism: Target Audience Analysis,
Measures of Effect and Counter Narrative,” seminar report, NATO Center of
Excellence Defence Against Terrorism (COE DAT) Seminar, 4-5 June 2014
“Strategic Communication: A Political and Operational Prerequisite for
Successful Peace Operations,” Robert Gordon and Peter Loge, Int’l Forum for
the Challenges of Peace Operations (‘Challenges Forum’), November 2015
The abovementioned ‘Challenges Forum’ paper points out the need for greater
attention to strategic communication and messaging in peace & stability ops:
New and social media, the diffusion of mobile technology and the
speed of communication have recently driven home both the perils and
promise of powerful rhetoric. At the same time … those who engage in
the difficult and dangerous work of making, keeping and building peace
are faced with the need to justify their approach to a, sometimes skeptical,
audience of the public, press and policymakers. In these increasingly
hostile and complex environments, it is perhaps more important than
ever … to be able to communicate strategically with both local and
international audiences.
This issue of the SOLLIMS Sampler not only echoes that need – to prioritize
strategic communication / messaging when working in complex environments –
but also highlights challenges and approaches from operations across the globe
(Eastern Europe, West Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Philippines) and then draws
out suggestions/considerations for use in future operations. Those key points/
ideas are summarized in the Conclusion paragraph on pages 33-35.
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