Josh Rushing was a US Marine Corps Captain who served as a spokesperson for United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) during Operation Iraqi Freeedom (OIF) in 2003. Unbeknownst to him the documentary film, Control Room, captured his efforts to communicate the American message on Al Jazeera. He currently works for Al Jazeera English as a military and current affairs correspondent.
If we are to win the war on terror, Rushing explains, we have to interact with the media at home and abroad in order to control the way we are perceived. By refusing to appear on Al Jazeera, Western leaders allow people who disagree with the current administration to represent the West to the Arab world in a skewed, negative way. By taking readers inside Al Jazeera, Rushing offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at the controversial news channel and shows how the West can harness it to its advantage, relay a positive message to the Arab public, and hear what it has to say in return.
While challenging Pentagon assumptions and policies, Rushing continues to remain passionately engaged with the US military. He regularly addresses conferences of flag officers and speaks at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the National Defense University, Command and General Staff Colleges, and the Defense Information School.
Video: Interview on 'Kevin Sites in the Hot Zone'
Josh Rushing Website
Spin: The Art of Selling War Part 1, Part 2
War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death by Norman Solomon