The U.S. Army illegally ordered a team of soldiers specializing in “psychological operations” to manipulate visiting American senators into providing more troops and funding for the war. When an officer tried to stop the operation, he was railroaded by military investigators. “My job in psy-ops is to play with people’s heads, to get the enemy to behave the way we want them to behave,” says Lt. Colonel Michael Holmes, the leader of the IO unit, who received an official reprimand after bucking orders. “When you ask me to try to use these skills on senators and congressman, you’re crossing a line.”
Search
Army Psycho-Manipulated Senators
The U.S. Army illegally ordered a team of soldiers specializing in "psychological operations" to manipulate visiting American senators into providing more troops and funding for the war.
Special Issue
A Big Think special collection of essays, interviews, and exclusive book excerpts that rewire the connections between sports and business.
14 articles