Countering Violent Islamist Extremism in Muslim Mindanao the 4M Way: The Role of Alternative Narratives

Abstract

This article argues that countering violent Islamist extremism in the southern Philippines requires greater employment of proactive Alternative Narratives (AN) rather than more reactive Counter-Narratives (CN). It offers the “4 M Way” of employing Alternative Narratives so as to achieve Information Dominance over countervailing violent extremist ideology. Properly executed, the 4 M Way could gradually steer vulnerable Muslims away from violent Islamist ideological rigidities toward the flexible beliefs that have long been part of the lived realities of Bangsamoro region—and essential for peace and stability in Muslim Mindanao.