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THE CNN EFFECT IN ACTION
strategic policy?” For example, if the strategic policy is to end a civil
war, the parties may need to stop fighting and start negotiating. If it
is to stop a man-induced humanitarian crisis, the parties may need to
cooperate and support the efforts of an intervening force.
The third aspect of a foreign policy, which is referred to here as tac-
tical policy B, also deals with implementation and follows directly
from the second. It answers the question “What must we (the external
third parties) do to push the parties on the ground to implement
tactical policy A?” For example, this aspect of the policy might use
sanctions, rewards, or a combination to promote a particular type of
behavior from the parties on the ground. Economic and military aid,
enhanced diplomatic recognition, diplomatic pressure, economic
sanctions, or military intervention are all tools of a tactical policy B
that may be employed at different periods in a foreign policy. In
attempting to implement a policy, it is likely that this is the aspect that
will change most frequently over time, particularly if evidence
emerges that the strategic policy is failing to come to fruition.
Graph 3.1 illustrates the aspects of foreign policy in the context of
a third-party military intervention in relation to the key question for
each aspect.
Foreign Policy and the CNN Effect
In chapter 1, six different media effects were identified: accelerant,
agenda-setting, impediment, challenging, potential, and propaganda
effects. The first four of these were CNN effects, while the last two
Key Question Policy Aspect
What end(s) is the policy trying to accomplish? Strategic Policy
What must the parties on the ground do to reach Tactical Policy A
the end(s) of the strategic policy?
What must we do to push the parties on the Tactical Policy B
ground to implement tactical policy A?
Graph 3.1 Aspects of Foreign Policy during Third-Party Military Interventions