The Taliban’s Information War: The Tactical Use of Frames
Abstract:
The Taliban are engaged in strategic information warfare on multiple fronts. This study examines how the Taliban use frames to transmit ideology for Information Operations. Frames are used tactically in information warfare because they are designed to generate responses via emotionally laden communication defined as propaganda. This study is unique because it analyses data derived from digital domains and from physical sources in Kabul. A Taliban Communication Typology has been culled from the 66 individual Taliban frames identified in this research. Analysis, via ontological coding, indicates that the Taliban communicate along five core messages that are framed to outline problems and solutions.
AUTHORS
Afghan National Unity Governmental Researcher, Kabul
Afghanistan
Salim Hussaini is a researcher from Kabul, Afghanistan, who has completed his degree in psychology and sociology in Vermont, USA. Mr. Hussaini has worked as a fellow on numerous research fellowships in the United States and has presented his research findings at international conferences. His work has won several awards and been used by reputable institutions, such as the CIA, the US Department of Homeland Security, and Facebook. Mr. Hussaini is based in Afghanistan and currently works as a researcher with the Afghan National Unity Government.
*A pseudonym is used for security purposes as he currently resides in Kabul.
School of Justice Studies and Sociology Norwich University Northfield, Vermont
United States
Travis Morris, assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice, is currently the director of Norwich University's Peace and War Center. Dr. Morris holds a PhD from the University of Nebraska and recently directed a NATO Science for Peace Program in Macedonia. He has published on information operations, propaganda analysis, and the relationship between policing, peacekeeping, counterterrorism, and counterinsurgency. He has also conducted ethnographic research in Yemen and Israel.
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Keywords
Journal of Information Warfare
The definitive publication for the best and latest research and analysis on information warfare, information operations, and cyber crime. Available in traditional hard copy or online.
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