DoD Strategic Communication Plan for Afghanistan

[Ron Humphrey]

...why there would be such a difference in content between the English and Arabic statements by the Taliban highlighting the same (alleged) event? More details here - happy to hear the range of theories. Mine, literally off the top of my head:

1) Misunderstanding between writer & translator.
2) Different versions written in isolation using same fact base given to different writers.
3) Poor command of English on part of translator = mixing up Brits & Americans.
4) A typo on one or the other version.

5) When you making stuff up anyway details really are that important
6) It might reflect the greater personal angst by either one of the authors or translators against their personal favorite target

What one might be able to infer is that the incident and its reporting where adhoc reactionary and thus didn't allow for proper prep time.
Gotta get it to print

Then again theres always
7) your guess is as good as mine

[Ken White]

Rule of thumbs (2) in the ME / South Asia:

If numbers are reported, subtract or add as appropriate 50-80% to the numbers given to adjust for accuracy. The number will virtually always be modified to make either the reporter or you look good. Use the lower number if you know the individual reporting and think he likes you, the higher number if you do not know him or her.

What is said in English will rarely much resemble the harsher language and more flowery rhetoric used in Arabic / Dari / Farsi / Pushtu / Tajik / Turkmen.


Oh, and (9) -- Nothing in the ME / SA area is as it seems.

[milnews.ca]

5) What one might be able to infer is that the incident and its reporting where adhoc reactionary and thus didn't allow for proper prep time. Gotta get it to print

How unlike the mainstream media?

What is said in English will rarely much resemble the harsher language and more flowery rhetoric used in Arabic / Dari / Farsi / Pushtu / Tajik / Turkmen.

Two points along these lines....

1) Someone WAY smarter than me pointed this out early on in my work: if you look at the official English postings, they feel very cookie cutter. A couple of recent examples:

Today morning 11-03-2009 at approximately 10:06 am , Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan with remote controlled landmines blew up 1 vehicle of puppet army near Lashkargah city capital of Helmand province, the landmine destroyed the vehicle and a comander and 4 terrorists in it were killed. Reported by Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi

Today afternoon 11-03-2009 at approximately 5:36pm local time, Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan with remote controlled landmine blew up a tank of British invaders army in Khak Kash area of Sangin district of Helmand province, the landmine destroyed the tank and killed all the invader terrorists in it . Reported by Qari Muhammad Yousuf

Thursday midnight 12-03-2009 at approximately 12 pm local time, Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan attack puppet army post in Pai Nawa of Tarenkot capital of Uruzgan province, in the attack Mujahideen captured the post, killed four puppet terrorists and a stock of weapons were Mujahideen's booty. Reported by Qari Muhammad Yousuf

This suggests the Taliban are using a template into which they plug in date, time, location, nationality, etc. This actually makes sense if you want to quickly disseminate info in a language you may not be strong in - get someone who knows to develop a template, then teach someone where different words go.

2) Not only do you lose flowery language, but a fair bit of detail is excluded in the official English translations. For example, compare the official English version here (or here, a .pdf scan loaded to my own page in case you don't want to click to a jihadist site from where you're reading this):

Last night 27-02-2009, 4 police of puppet administrator surrender to Mujahideen in center of Sangin district of Helmand province, also different kinds of weapons were Mujahideen's booty. Reported by Qari Muhammad Yousuf

to the Google English translation (yeah, I know the caveats, but I'm comfortable of getting at least a rough feel using Google Translation) of the Arabic version:

4, join the police to the mujahideen in Sngen
Qari Muhammad Yussuf (Ahmadi) - 28/2/2009
Join the night of Thursday, four policemen were in the client management in the province of Helmand Sngen state of the ranks of the Islamic Emirate, Mujahideen Khalq, a result of a previous association with the heavy and light weapons. The transfer of these soldiers with the following weapons to the Mujahideen: (1) RPG (3) of the Kalashnikov machine guns, (1) gun-type 82 mg m, and a large quantity of small arms bullets. Soldiers acceded to the ranks of the mujahideen who were working security at a point near the headquarters of the province, and after joining the Mujahideen transferred to a safe area. Has given them the safety of themselves and their money by the regulations prepared by the Mujahideen in this regard.

If I could find a web-based free translation page for Persian, it would be interesting to see how different, if at all, those versions are from the Arabic versions.

Finally, an indication that whoever is providing English language translation services may be thinking phonetically (.pdf of original on my site):

Puppet intelligence service official killed in Kandahar
Today morning 02-03-2009 at approximately 8 am local time, Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in gorilla attack killed puppet intelligence service official in 5th number of Kandahar city , in the attack the official was the small brother of comando chief of Kandahar province. Reported by Qari Yousuf Ahmadi

[milnews.ca]

...in Taliban statements about helicopter shoot-downs- more here.

[Culpeper]

...in Taliban statements about helicopter shoot-downs- more here.

Not to be sarcastic but any helicopter will do.

[milnews.ca]

Not to be sarcastic but any helicopter will do.

Someone elsewhere suggested it was cooler to take credit for an American than Brit shoot-down...

[Culpeper]

Someone elsewhere suggested it was cooler to take credit for an American than Brit shoot-down...

Their version of American Idol. The poor guy that gets a Canadian helicopter ends up the butt of everyone's joke.

Jihadist #1: Hey Ali, I heard you shot down a Canuck chopper what's that all aboot, eh?

Jihadist #2 [pointing gun at Jihadist #1] It's "ABOUT". We have ways of making you pronounce the letter O, pal.

[120mm]

Today morning 11-03-2009 at approximately 10:06 am , Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan with remote controlled landmines blew up 1 vehicle of puppet army near Lashkargah city capital of Helmand province, the landmine destroyed the vehicle and a comander and 4 terrorists in it were killed. Reported by Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi

The above report struck pretty close to home.

As in, just a few feet away.

[milnews.ca]

...and take care.

[milnews.ca]

This from a statement from a Taliban official (re)writing an interesting history of the days when they were in charge (.pdf permalink to non-jihad web page) - highlights mine:

(Question): Considering the reign of your government, many observers and the public of the world think that you are against the modern educational system, particularly the education of women. Do you admit, it is true?

(Answer): I do not agree with this claim. Obviously, we were facing various problems during the reign of the Islamic Emirate but still kept the door of schools and universities open and procured enough books as well as other facilities. The country had passed through a period of anarchy given rise to by the factional fighting which had resulted into the destruction of many schools. Many remained ruined but some schools and universities had been closed down due to the armed clashes among the factions prior to the formation of the Islamic Emirate. Many sons of our land were deprived of education and knowledge. But here, I would like to reiterate that higher female education was available for women in Kabul, Kandahar, Mazar, Herat and Jalalabad during the reign of the Islamic Emirate particularly in the field of medicines. The said process of education continued intermittingly throughout the period of our governance. In addition to this, female education continued in home schools. Of course, education is a necessity and mandatory for women as they are for men. However, we should take into account the Islamic rules as to the observation of the veil. But if the international community had granted us ten percent of the assistance of what they are now giving to the stooge regime in Kabul, we would have opened all the schools and institutes for male and female education and even we would have brought the standards of education in parallel to the world standard of education. But it is a matter of pity that the international community has been assisting the puppet regime financially and their funds are being wasted and gulped down by the prevailing corruption and embezzlement at the Administration ....

Don't worry, though - they've learned their lessons....

(Question): Does Islamic Emirate follow its former policy regarding all issues surrounding Afghanistan and other relevant affairs?

(Answer): As a principle, The Islamic Emirate is based on Islamic system, protecting all Islamic, political and national interests. However, the prevailing situation then was not a normal one. There were some shortcomings and some unpalatable measures which we are now trying to rectify. To achieve that, we are ready for bilateral understanding to be reached in this regard. Furthermore, a future strategy should be worked out on the basis of intra-Afghan consultation, taking into account all the new developments and requirements in order to bring about positive changes in the policy in line with the Islamic rules. But simultaneously, we should take every care that we should not violate the current policy of The Islamic Emirate which is focusing on military approach in the country .... Upon the withdrawal of foreign troops, the Islamic Emirate will carry out consultation with all important circles of the Afghan issue to reach an understanding about a mechanism of political system in Afghanistan ....

Riiiight.......

[milnews.ca]

.....posted here (109 KB .pdf) - next month, will try without "other vehicles" section to simplify. As usual, feeback (good, bad or ugly) always welcome!

[milnews.ca]

.....posted here (103 KB .pdf). As usual, feeback (good, bad or ugly) always welcome!

[milnews.ca]

First I've seen of the Taliban posting a table of stats in English (don't know Arabic, Farsi or Pashto, so I can't tell if they've done this elsewhere).

For April 2009 across Afghanistan, the Taliban alleges:

* 5 villages and 2 Taliban vehicles destroyed
* 12 Taliban dead
* 58 Taliban wounded
* 533 foreign troops killed
* 952 Afghan troops killed
* 73 foreign troops wounded
* 170 Afghan troops wounded
* 3 foreign helicopters destroyed
* 53 civilian casualties
* 10 “martyrdom operations”
* 339 "operations"*

* - not clear whether this includes martyrdom operations or not

A .pdf of the table, with breakdown by category and province, is available here at non-terrorist web page. A bit more analysis here.

[milnews.ca]

.... on this question from way back about Taliban propaganda claims:

How are the Canadians countering the claims? Perhaps too sensitive for here, can but try.

This, from today's Toronto Star:

Canada plans to boost its propaganda reach by tapping into mobile phones in Afghanistan to send text messages, run contests and drive listeners to its military-run, Pashto-language radio station.

It's a fairly crude, transparent tactic in the high science of counter-insurgency, but the military sees it as a way to better connect with local Afghans in a war-torn land where the cellphone is one of the fastest growing, and only reliable, means of communication.

The capability, to be set up this summer, will encourage Afghans to sign up for text-message alerts from defence officials and to enter military-run contests awarding prizes to lucky locals, according to public tendering documents.

It will also let Afghans send text messages to Rana-FM, a radio station set up by the military in 2006, and have them read on the air, half a world away at the broadcast centre in Kingston, Ont. The station, whose name means "light" in Pashto, is staffed by Afghan-Canadians, and mixes messages from Canadian and coalition officials with news programming and popular music aimed at teenage and young adult listeners in Kandahar.....

More on link

[davidbfpo]

Thanks for the update. I suspected from a RAND study on mobile telephony that something was possible.

I just wonder how the opposition will react and how the "text race" will work. There is a danger that someone will attempt to block the radio station's text facility, possibly by advertising on the web. Not my field, I prefer dinosaurs.

davidbfpo

[IntelTrooper]

Thanks for the update. I suspected from a RAND study on mobile telephony that something was possible.

I just wonder how the opposition will react and how the "text race" will work. There is a danger that someone will attempt to block the radio station's text facility, possibly by advertising on the web. Not my field, I prefer dinosaurs.

davidbfpo

If I may butt into the conversation (and I apologize if this has already been addressed) ---

An effective IO campaign in Afghanistan, especially in the more remote, rural areas, could very simple and low-tech. When something goes "boom," or when security forces do a raid, the radio stations almost invariably broadcast some kind of report, usually with few facts and a lot of artistic license. Even "pro-government" radio stations are easily influenced to broadcast reports which cast the security forces in a negative, super aggressive, incompetent light (i.e., the Americans did a raid and killed a bunch of babies but let the target get away).

By setting up more powerful, less influenceable radio stations, NATO forces could easily counter the propaganda effect of the less truthful reports. The rural folks believe what they hear on the radio and even if they are suspicious of it, there's really no alternative media other than first-hand reports from neighbors (which are likely to be exaggerated anyway).

Pretty much any time there was an explosion, there was a news report. If the Talibs could get their propaganda guys working fast enough, the report was usually that an American "tank" (they use the same word for Humvees, MRAPs, tanks, etc.) was destroyed and 3 - 7 occupation forces were killed. Since the Americans/pro-government forces were pretty incompetent at IO, that was usually the only report that the public heard.

The web-based stuff is really not for the consumption of the Afghans. Internet access is pretty unheard of, so it's more for generating revenue from credulous, rich supporters who do not reside in Afghanistan.

[davidbfpo]

Intel Trooper.

No, you are not butting in. SWC have discussed IW several times IIRC, not the tactical application. That is the advantage of SWC we can all contribute, often from very different viewpoints, let alone national "armchairs".

Just getting more BBC World Service in Pashto / Pushto would be a start. I understand that station is still respected and I have a vague recollection it was proposed.

davidbfpo

[milnews.ca]

...for:

- May 2009 in statements about RC-South (.pdf at non-terrorist web site)
- May 2009 all across AFG, according to the Taliban's count (.pdf at non-terrorist web site)

HUGE spike in the past month or 6 weeks in the number of attacks claimed by the Taliban in RC-South in English statements. No stats on this, but LOTS seem to be taking credit for American deaths. Can you say "statement surge"?

Also, far, far fewer mentions of Canadian deaths/casualties in May - 4, compared to an average of around 9/month.

As always, feedback (good, bad or ugly) always welcome.

[milnews.ca]

...for:

Canadian casualties claimed by the Talibs in RC-South

and

Taliban claims all across Afghanistan (links to non-terrorist web page).

In general, LOTS more attack claims across Afghanistan, but not so many last month mentioning Canadian troops (do the Taliban know Canada's not likely to extend its mission in Kandahar, so it's not worth focusing on Canadians anymore?).

[milnews.ca]

This month's summary of Taliban statements claiming responsibility for Canadian Casualties here.

Latest ratio: Since last October, Taliban reporting almost 13 Canadian casualties for every one announced by Canada.

The number of English-language statements referring to Canadian casualties appear to be dropping - maybe the Taliban's convinced of Canada leaving by 2011?

As usual, all feedback (good, bad or ugly) always welcome.