The Isis brides: An unnecessary case of messaging chaos
Crisis communications expert Peter Wilkinson takes a look at the Isis brides story and finds a policy vacuum at the heart of the problem.
Bride repatriation has been a policy challenge answered in many nations (Nine)
Issues confronting leaders are made more chaotic if they are poorly communicated. The messaging around the Isis brides story is another great case of what not to do.
In short: A group of women (presumably radicalised) left Australia to engage with Isis in the war between 2014-19. Now defeated, a remnant group live in squalid camps in Syria. Unsurprisingly, 11 Isis brides (with 23 children) want to come home, like other women and children previously repatriated.
Are they a threat or not – silly victims, or villains?
Security agencies globally have grappled with this, and most governments have clearly communicated their policy (see below). Our government? It became mired in a messaging mess with prime minister Anthony Albanese and colleagues dancing around the issues, denying direct responsibility, and creating confusion.
