Degree Type
Honors Capstone Project
Date of Submission
Spring 5-1-2011
Capstone Advisor
Hossein Bashiriyeh
Honors Reader
Dennis Kinsey
Capstone Major
International Relations
Capstone College
Citizenship and Public Affairs
Audio/Visual Component
no
Capstone Prize Winner
no
Won Capstone Funding
no
Honors Categories
Social Sciences
Subject Categories
International and Area Studies | International Business | Other International and Area Studies
Abstract
In the short term, the United States negatively impacted the relationships among the Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds. The United States’ lack of communication and credibility led to this negative impact. Six variables: the United States’ lack of knowledge about Iraq, the preexisting anti-western political culture, removal of local elites and army, inadequate media outreach, impact on reactionary violence, and the inability to fulfill all their promises to the Iraqi population expanded problems in credibility and communication. Although the United States brought democracy to Iraq by enforcing equality for Shiites and Kurds, and expanding Kurdish autonomy in the north, this lack of communication and credibility made it difficult for the United States to convey its democratic values. A public relations campaign can improve communications and credibility with the Iraqis and help emphasize democratic goals. Iraq is beginning to build a strong democratic future, and the United States can help with the country’s democratic strides by improving its communications and credibility with Iraqis.
Recommended Citation
Dunlea, Julia, "Under the Surface: The United States’ Failure to Effectively Communicate and Gain Credibility with Iraqis" (2011). Honors Capstone Projects - All. 308.
https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone/308
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
