The Pentagon has spent hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on marketing and propaganda campaigns dubbed “information operations” to win over local populations in Iraq and Afghanistan, USA Today reports. The funds dedicated to information operations grew from $9 million annually in 2005 to $580 million annually in 2009, according to USA Today. Last year the funding level dropped to $202 million because of the recent withdrawal from Iraq.The Pentagon defines information operations as “psychological operations, deception, protecting vital data, electronic warfare, and computer network defense and attack.” On average, the Pentagon spends $96 million annually, peaking in 2009 at $580 million. Spending dropped to $355 million in 2011 and $202 million in 2012 as troops withdrew from Iraq.
These operations involve a combination of radio, TV broadcasts, leaflets, newspapers and entertainment to deliver the Pentagon’s message. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the Pentagon tried to promote the virtues of government to locals, report roadside bombs, and inform insurgents about how they could switch sides. Read More
