Framing the threat

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There is great power in the use of words, as they shape our understanding of reality. Framing language and narratives serves as a tool of power, albeit one with limitations. This book explores the relationship between language and security, examining how discourse influences political action. It specifically analyzes the security narratives of former US presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. The study reveals how their constructions of identity—defining the American ‘self’ and the enemy ‘other’—shaped their approaches to threats and informed their detention and interrogation policies. Bush’s narrative justified the operation of the Guantanamo Bay detention center and made the mistreatment of detainees seem permissible, pushing legal boundaries and rendering violations appear legitimate. In contrast, Obama framed a threat scenario that necessitated a return to the rule of law and the closure of Guantanamo for security reasons. Despite this, Obama’s narrative faced continuous challenges and failed to dominate public discourse, ultimately hindering his ability to implement the promised policy changes. This analysis highlights the complexities of language in shaping security policies and the political landscape.