Narrative strategies in action – text, form, and context

Abstract

The major changes in the global security environment that took place at the end of the last millennium continue to deeply mark the first quarter of the 21st century, characterized by substantial changes in the classical instruments used in conducting a conflict. Also, the transformation of the informational environment has led to the emergence, development, adaptation, and contextualization of the use of strategic narratives with the aim of influencing people’s perceptions of the actions of power states and producing effects in the sense desired by them.The purpose of this article is to subject strategic narratives to attention, as part of contemporary hybrid confrontations, aiming to bring a better understanding of this subject, observing how they are used and with what effects, depending on the form in which they appear. Moreover, the article proposes a multilevel conceptual delimitation, approaching strategic narratives from the perspectives of text, context, and form, as highlighted in the most recent research in the specialized field. We will also consider their use in an allied context, with reference to working documents that NATO uses in strategic communication to influence target groups and audiences, both internal and external.