Losing hearts and minds: The desperate state of US influence operations
The United States is surrendering ground to Russia and China’s propaganda machines. That has key officials increasingly worried.
PATRICK TUCKER | MAY 24, 2024
TAMPA, Florida—Several of the nation’s top practitioners in psychological operations, including key officials with the Departments of Defense and State, gathered in a small room at the Tampa Convention Center earlier this month for a panel discussion. The topic: how the United States is positioned to influence global perceptions, particularly around critical national-security issues.
The unanimous verdict: We’re doing miserably, especially in comparison to China and Russia.
“I think the state of this enterprise is weak, quite frankly,” James Holly, who leads the defense secretary’s year-old Influence and Perception Management Office, told the audience at the SOF Week conference here.
Daniel Kimmidge, principal deputy coordinator for State’s Global Engagement Center, agreed.
https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2024/05/losing-hearts-and-minds-desperate-state-us-influence-operations/396889/?oref=d1-skybox-hp
