Strategic Narrative and War: How the United States Attempts to Manipulate International Audience about the Gaza War?

Year 2025, Volume: 34 Issue: 2, 167 - 182, 09.10.2025

İsmail Akdoğan

https://doi.org/10.26650/siyasal.2025.34.1543451

Abstract

This study examines how the Biden administration attempts to present the Gaza War to target audiences to advance US strategic interests in the Middle East. The examination employs the concept of strategic narrative, focusing specifically on its issue narrative type. During this conflict, Israel’s military actions resulted in humanitarian casualties, leading to significant international criticism of the US for its unprece dented support of Israel’s operations. Consequently, the Biden administration has made a significant effort to justify US decisions and behaviors regarding the Gaza War through a strategic narrative as a tool of foreign policy. The primary aim for the US in constructing a strategic narrative is to influence and shape the thoughts, decisions, and behaviors of its target audience. This research employs the qualitative narrative method to analyze essential strategic narratives and featured themes. The research concludes that the US primarily aims to legitimize Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and justify its unwavering support for Israel before the target audience by emphasizing featured themes such as “war on terror,” “national security,” “regional deterrence,” “survival of Israel,” “massacre of Jews”.

Keywords

The Gaza War , The United States , Strategic narrative , Foreign policy , Public opinion

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