Washington’s ‘psyop’ propaganda push could backfire, analysts say

Washington’s reported plan to have embassies team up with the American military’s “psyops” department to boost the US’ image could backfire and actually damage the country’s credibility, according to analysts.

The strategy amounts to using “propaganda to fight the truth”, according to Tad Stoermer, a historian and former lecturer at Johns Hopkins University.

Amid slipping global approval, the US is looking to employ shadowy tactics that it previously condemned.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told embassies and consulates to launch coordinated campaigns to boost the country’s image and counter “anti-American propaganda”, according to a March 30 cable that was obtained by The Guardian.

Rubio also suggested they partner with the US military’s psychological operations department. Psychological operations, often called “psyops”, are attempts by militaries or intelligence agencies to influence a target’s state of mind.

According to the British newspaper’s report, the cable also suggested recruiting local influencers to “make American-funded narratives feel locally organic rather than centrally directed”. To that end, it urged US officials to make greater use of the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

South China Morning Post