A Study on the Role of the Media and Its Effect on the Identity of Muslims (Part 19)
Media and Soft War
Soft war, with its aim of conquering the thoughts of nations, plays an important role in loosening the intellectual and cultural frameworks of societies. It encompasses any psychological action and media propaganda.
Given the predominance of soft war in today’s era, it is essential to understand its significance, complexity, and various forms, which lead to gradual and extensive changes in the economic, political, social, and cultural spheres of countries through the use of media tools. We must familiarize ourselves with its features, goals, tools, tactics, and ways to counter it.
The Concept of Soft War
The term “soft war” is used as an antithesis to “hard War.” Related terms include “soft threat” and “soft power.” The theory of soft war has entered political literature in recent decades, with one of the most systematic works being Professor Joseph Nye’s book “Soft Power.” He asserts that hard power is based on coercion, while soft power relies on persuasion. Unlike some experts, he categorizes economy and diplomacy under hard power but solely mentions the media as soft power.
John Collins, a theoretician from the American National War University, defines soft war as the planned use of propaganda and related tools to penetrate the enemy’s intellectual framework, utilizing methods that further national security objectives.
In another definition, soft war refers to any subtle psychological action or media propaganda that targets society, promoting passivity and defeat without resorting to armed conflict or coercion.
In political and military sciences, soft war is synonymous with many other terms. In military contexts, terms like “psychological warfare” or “psychological operations” are employed, while in political science, phrases like “soft subversion,” “soft threat,” “velvet revolution,” and the relatively new term “colorful revolution” are commonly used.
In all these terms, the common goal is to impose the will of one group on another without utilizing military force. A more comprehensive definition describes soft war as a complex and covert operation involving political, cultural, and intelligence tactics employed by major world powers to create desired changes in target countries. Of course, soft war has various other definitions.
Regarding the nature of soft war, it is notable that its history can be traced back to critical events such as the French Revolution, the Russian Revolution of 1917, and World War I. The establishment of the Ministry of Propaganda in Germany following World War I and II underscores the importance of psychological warfare and propaganda among leaders during pivotal periods.
Soft war is a product of the Cold War. After World War II, as the world became dominated by the Soviet Union and the United States, hard weapons gave way to information systems, media, and cultural transformations. This transition marked the beginning of the Cold War, as there was no longer evidence of gunpowder and direct military confrontations. Consequently, countries, particularly the United States and the Soviet Union, began to prioritize strengthening their capabilities and strategies in soft war.
With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the end of the Cold War, security priorities for countries evolved, introducing new players and the significance of non-governmental organizations. This led to the adoption of new methodologies to safeguard national interests, with an emphasis on soft war and psychological operations.
Some of the instruments used in soft war include news media, cinema, literature, and any other means of mass communication that seek to implant a target culture within another culture, ideally replacing it and appearing more attractive than it genuinely is. Science and knowledge, along with information systems, have the potential to cultivate a social network of inclusive ideology with minimal restrictions.
It is crucial to note that in soft war, any country that can employ a diverse array of modern tools and communication technologies will be better positioned to achieve success. These tools aim to influence the audience’s mindset, with the intention of altering political, cultural, and social behavior.
The primary features of soft war include the reduction of bloodshed, asserting dominance without violence and cost, shortening the duration of conflicts, minimizing the financial burdens on militaries, altering the intellectual foundations and cultural values of societies, and instigating changes in the behavioral principles of systems and communities.
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