War of Ideas

Transition Memo

Transition 6877 – War of Ideas

Date:
15 January 2009
Author(s):
Juan Zarate (Combating Terrorism Directorate)
Classification Level:
Secret with Secret/NOFORN Attachments
Citation:
National Security Council. Executive Office of the President. War of Ideas. Juan Zarate. Transition 6877.
Related Links:
Middle East
International Affairs & Policy Positions

Memo attachments

Item Details

Chronology for the War of Ideas

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Remarks by the President at Islamic Center of Washington, D.C. (September 17, 2001)

Date: 17 September 2001

Author(s): George W. Bush (speech)

Description: Bush highlights the contributions of moderate Muslims to American society and makes clear that extremism is not inherent to Islam. Bush underscores the need for protection of individual freedoms from religious overreach. Bush asks American citizens not to take out their anger on Muslim citizens.

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Agenda for Deputies Committee Meeting on Campaign Strategy and the Report on the Strategic Information Campaign (October 26, 2001)

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Remarks by the President at Iftaar (November 19, 2001)

Date: 19 November 2001

Author(s): George W. Bush (speech)

Description: Bush states that America is made better by millions of Muslim citizens, states purpose of Ramadan, and remarks on interfaith commonalities. Bush thanks Muslim community for support in War on Terror. Bush states that the campaign in Afghanistan will continue despite Ramadan. Bush makes clear that America respects people of all faiths.

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Remarks by the President at Iftaar (November 7, 2002)

Date: 7 November 2002

Author(s): George W. Bush (speech)

Description: Bush highlights contributions of the Islamic faith to the world and describes the purpose of Ramadan. Bush makes clear that the War on Terror is on extremism, not on Islam or Muslim civilization. Bush states that America does not tolerate bigotry or religious extremism.

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Summary of Conclusions for Deputies Committee Meeting on Muslim World Engagement and Reform (January 13, 2003)

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Proposed Strategy on Muslim World Engagement (March 5, 2003)

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Summary of Conclusions for Principals Committee Meeting on Muslim World Engagement (June 17, 2003)

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Remarks by the President at Iftaar (October 28, 2003)

Date: 28 October 2003

Author(s): George W. Bush (speech)

Description: Bush states the purpose of Ramadan and how the tradition contributes to America. Bush states that America’s presence in Iraq and Afghanistan allows individuals freedom, including freedom of faith. Bush then declares that America does not stand for extremism or bigotry and believes in the free practice of religion.

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Summary of Conclusions for Deputies Committee Meeting on Muslim World Outreach (July 1, 2004)

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President Bush hosts Iftaar Dinner (November 10, 2004)

Date: 10 November 2004

Author(s): George W. Bush (speech)

Description: Bush describes virtues of Ramadan and says that the War on Terror, through the liberation of Afghanistan and Iraq, is spreading freedom and benefiting the Muslim community. Bush declares that he will work to spread freedom further across the Middle East. Bush states that America believes in equality and highlights commonalities between Muslim Americans and other Americans.

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Information Memo: Muslim World Outreach: Status Report and Next Steps (December 21, 2004)

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Announcement of Nomination of Karen P. Hughes as Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy (March 14, 2005)

Date: 14 March 2005

Author(s): Condoleezza Rice and Karen Hughes

Description: Rice states that U.S. diplomacy must spread freedom and fight oppression while remaining open to the worldand underscores importance of public diplomacy. Rice nominates Karen P. Hughesas under secretary of state for public diplomacy. Hughes extends thanks and describes importance of public diplomacy and listening in the War on Terror as wellas impact of freedom.

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President Hosts Iftaar Dinner (October 17, 2005)

Date: 17 October 2005

Author(s): George W. Bush

Description: President Bush hosts an Iftaar and praises the United States as a country of tolerance, expressing confidence in America's Muslim community and the international Muslim community in helping build a better future.

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National Security Presidential Directive/NSPD-46 (March 6, 2006)

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Memorandum from the National Security Advisor to Principals Establishing the Policy Coordinating Committee on Public Diplomacy and Strategic Communications (April 8, 2006)

Date: 8 April 2006

Author(s): Stephen J. Hadley

Description: Memo issued to Vice President, Secretaries of State, Defense, Commerce, Homeland Security, Chief of Staff, DNI, USTR, USAID director, Chairman of JCS, and Chairman of Broadcasting Board of Governors. Memo notifies recipients that Under Secretary Karen Hughes has been charged with creating committee to enhance public diplomacy. Hadley directs listed departments to designate representatives on Committee.

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National Implementation Plan for the War on Terror Section D: Counter Violent Islamic Extremism (June 6, 2006)

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UNGA Adopts Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (September 8, 2006)

Date: 8 September 2006

Author(s): The United Nations General Assembly

Description: Document contains brief summary and full text of UN Resolution. Resolution contains a plan of action to alleviate conditions that lead to terrorism, measures to prevent and combat terrorism, measures to enhance state capacity, and measures to ensure human rights and rule of law as basis for fight.

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President Bush Attends Iftaar Dinner at the White House (October 16, 2006)

Date: 16 October 2006

Author(s): George W. Bush (speech)

Description: Bush describes virtues of Islam and Ramadan, recognizes special guests and their contributions to America, and thanks Muslims for standing with him in War on Terror, which Bush states will provide a brighter future for millions of Muslims abroad.

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Information Memo: Early Cold War Organization to Conduct Battle of Ideas (January 9,2007)

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U.S. National Strategy for Public Diplomacy and Strategic Communication (June 2007)

Date: June 2007

Author(s): White House Policy Coordinating Committee

Description: Document outlines National Security Strategy focused on strengthening alliances, stopping WMD proliferation, supporting democracy/human rights, and encouraging economic growth and development. Document outlines goals and strategies for message broadcasting aimed at undermining terrorist propaganda.

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President Bush Rededicates Islamic Center of Washington (June 27, 2007)

Date: 27 June 2007

Author(s): George W. Bush (speech)

Description: Bush rededicates center with message espousing tolerance, celebrating achievements of Islamic civilization, underscoring importance of freedom, decrying Islamic extremism, and calling upon Muslims to stand up to terrorism.

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Fact Sheet: Strengthening Our Friendship with the Muslim Community Worldwide (June 27, 2007)

Date: 27 June 2007

Author(s): White House Office of the Press Secretary

Description: Fact Sheet describes President Bush's efforts to support America's Muslim community and dispel notions that America is opposed to Islam.

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Near-Term Anti-AQ Communication Action Plan (ACAP) (July 27, 2007)

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State Cable 12228 (Action Request for Credible Voices Campaign, August 30, 2007)

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"Prevent Violent Islamic Extremist Radicalization inthe United States" Section of the National Strategy for Homeland Security (October 2007)

Date: October 2007

Author(s): Department of Homeland Security

Description: Document outlines strategies to prevent Islamic extremism at home. Strategies include engaging communities as partners against radicalization, advancing understanding of radicalization, hitting the sources of radicalization, and enhancing government capacity to respond to radicalization.

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President Bush Attends Iftaar Dinner at the White House (October 4, 2007)

Date: 4 October 2007

Author(s): George W. Bush (speech)

Description: Speech describes Ramadan, freedom of religion in the United States, contrast to intolerant extremism, the War on Terror’s defense of freedom, and America’s commitment to the Islamic world.

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Summary of Conclusions for Deputies Committee Meeting (October 11, 2007)

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Summary of Conclusions for Principals Committee Meeting on the War of Ideas (February 12, 2008)

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President Bush Meets with Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (February 27, 2008)

Date: 27 February 2008

Author(s): George W. Bush (statement)

Description: President Bush announces Sada Cumber as the choice for Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Bush discusses Cumber’s qualifications and mission, emphasizing his role in showing America’s support for the Islamic community.

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Summary of the War of Ideas Outreach Meetings (February 28, 2008)

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Summary of Conclusions for Principals Committee Meeting on the War of Ideas (June 24, 2008)

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Wall Street Journal Op-ed by James K. Glassman "How to Win the War of Ideas" (June 24, 2008)

Date: 24 June 2008

Author(s): James K. Glassman

Description: Editorial written by James K. Glassman (Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs) in the Wall Street Journal. Article states that the war of ideas is receiving appropriate attention as critical to winning the war on terror. Glassman states that winning the war of ideas involves both directly discrediting extremist ideologies and creating networks that disprove the extremist worldview.

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G-8 Leaders Statement on Counter-Terrorism (July 9, 2008)

Date: 9 July 2008

Author(s): G-8 leaders

Description: G-8 statement condemns all terrorist acts, especially ones which target civilians. Statement declares that poverty and oppression do not justify extremist responses. Statement emphasizes support for UN effort, counterproliferation, state capacity building, preventing radicalization, and sealing the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

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National Implementation Plan for the War on Terror: Counter Violent Extremism (September 10, 2008)

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"At U.N., a Bolder Approach to Terrorism" Christian Science Monitor (September 11, 2008)

Date: 11 September 2008

Author(s): Howard LaFranchio

Description: Christian Science Monitor article discusses UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s victims-of-terrorism symposium, which used the stories of 18 victims of terrorist attacks to put a human face to the problem of violent extremism.

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Remarks by the President to the U.N. General Assembly (September 23, 2008)

Date: 23 September 2008

Author(s): George W. Bush

Description: Bush calls for more substantive UN support against terror; highlights successes of War on Terror, Freedom Agenda, and PEPFAR/PMI; and calls for UN support for greater development and democratization.

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State Department Cable from Under Secretary Glassman: "The War of Ideas" Briefing to the President and Vice President (State 11497, October 28, 2008)

Date: 28 October 2008

Author(s): James K. Glassman (Under Secretary for Diplomacy and Public Affairs), sent officially from Condoleezza Rice

Description: Glassman outlines history and current approach of public diplomacy, specifically the War of Ideas. Glassman clarifies structure of War of Ideas. Glassman outlines several strategies for winning the War of Ideas and states aim to turn populations against extremism and decrease international support for terrorism.

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