Date of Graduation
Spring 2017
Degree
Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies
Department
Defense and Strategic Studies
Committee Chair
Kerry Kartchner
Abstract
This thesis focuses on the necessity of psychological strategies to combat the Islamic State’s recruitment of foreign fighters. This thesis argues that psychological strategies are a primary weapon due to the psychological nature of the war against the Islamic State, which is a part of the overall war of ideas. This thesis does not consider psychological strategies for other aspects of U.S. counterterrorism strategy, nor does it reflect the difficulties involved with developing U.S. strategies in the U.S. federal government. Furthermore, this thesis only focuses on foreign fighter defending and supporting the Islamic State, which is the successor of Al Qaeda in Iraq and does not consider foreign fighters supporting other terrorist organizations. The result of the research done for this thesis finds that psychological strategies must become a core element in U.S. policy towards this issue.
Keywords
information operations, terrorism, foreign fighters, the Islamic state, strategic communications, psychological strategy
Subject Categories
Defense and Security Studies | International Relations | Multicultural Psychology | Social Policy | Social Psychology | Terrorism Studies
Copyright
© David Michael Smaney
Recommended Citation
Smaney, David Michael, "A Radical Idea: Applying Psychological Strategy to Combat Foreign Fighters Defending the Islamic State" (2017). MSU Graduate Theses/Dissertations. 3102.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/3102
Open Access
Included in
Defense and Security Studies Commons, International Relations Commons, Multicultural Psychology Commons, Social Policy Commons, Social Psychology Commons, Terrorism Studies Commons
