Good anthropology, bad history: America’s cultural turn in the war on terror

Abstract

A core element of western intelligence analysis is discerning the intentions of the enemy. This chapter explores that utility of culture as a driver of conflict and a means to understand the adversary. Whilst not tackling the means by which these cultural messages are transmitted, this chapter suggests the ways in which cultural and historical lessons inform the many conflicts of our time. The problems surrounding ‘culture’ are brought to the fore and lessons are drawn for strategists and analysts to consider.