The word pops up from time to time, but most of us are unlikely to pay it much attention.

Well, in this case, we must pay attention.

The word is “PsyOps,” a modern mash-up of “Psychological Operations.” In the strictest sense, this noun signifies “operations to convey selected information and indicators to audiences to influence their motives and objective reasoning, and ultimately the behavior of governments, organizations, groups.”

For “influence,” read “manipulation.”

The United States uses psychological operations to induce or reinforce behavior it perceives to to be favorable to U.S. objectives. They are part of the range of diplomatic, informational, military and economic activities available to the U.S. They can be used during peacetime and conflict.

“In wartime,” said Winston

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