ABSTRACT
This chapter is devoted to the topic of how political leaders mired in violent conflict deal with the media in the modern age of communication. 1 It is clear to even the most casual of observers that the dawn of the ‘digital age’ has led to major changes in the role the media play in such conflicts. The newer media provide political leaders, both in and out of power, with powerful new tools for waging war over national and international public opinion. A number of previous studies have dealt with the role of the newer media in the politics. This is one of the first, however, to look at the ways in which the new technology has provided both opportunities and threats for political leaders involved in conflict. It is also one of the only studies to look at the issue from a cross-cultural perspective.
