An Examination of the Committee on Public Information during World War I and Application to the Current Strategic Communication Campaign of the US Government

The importance of the exploitation of the information instrument of power is recognized by the United States as a vital component to the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Global War on Terrorism and indeed all future wars. Especially relevant today is the battle of ideas or the war for the Muslim mind that is occurring in this area as America tries to preempt the causes and prevent the actions that led to the attacks against the United States on 11 September 2001. The US government must have a successful strategic communication program, transcending the efforts of all involved departments, to leverage the inherent advantages and capabilities that America possesses. Unfortunately, the United States has stumbled in this area as documented in The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, better known as the 9/11 Commission Report, two Defense Science Board reports, and numerous other reports and surveys.