Psychological Operations Principles and Case Studies
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Psychological Operations Principles and Case Studies Editor Frank L. Goldstein, Col, USAF Co-editor Benjamin F. Findley, Jr., Col, USAFR Air University. Press Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama September 1996 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Psychological operations : principles and case studies j editor, Frank L. Goldstein ; co-editor, Benjamin F. Findley. p. cm. At head of t.p. : AU Shield. "September 1996 ." 1. Psychological warfare-United States . 2. Psychological warfare-Case studies . 1. Goldstein, Frank L., 1945- . 11. Findley, Benjamin F. UB276.P82 1996 355 .3'434-dc20 96-22817 CIP ISBN 1-58566-016-7 Disclaimer This publication was produced in the Department of Defense school environment in the interest of academic freedom and the advancement of national defense-related concepts . The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the United States government. This publication has been reviewed by security and policy review authorities and is cleared for public release . For Sale by the Superintendent of Documents US Government Printing Office Washington, DC 20402 Contents Essay Page DISCLAIMER -------------------- ii FOREWORD . Lx PREFACE ______________________ xi PART I Nature and Scope of Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Introduction . 3 1 Psychological Operations : An Introduction Col Frank L. Goldstein, USAF Col Daniel W. Jacobowitz, USAF, Retired 2 Strategic Concepts for Military Operations . , 17 Col Fred W. Walker, USAF, Retired 3 No More Tactical Information Detachments: US Military Psychological Operations in Transition . 25 Col Alfred H. Paddock, Jr., USA, Retired 4 Blending Military and Civilian PSYOP Paradigms . , 51 Col Benjamin F. Findley, Jr., USAFR PART II National Policy and PSYOP Planning Essay Page Introduction . 71 5 The Psychological Dimension in National Strategy . 73 Dr Carnes Lord 6 When Are Political Objectives Clearly Defined? A Historical Perspective . 91 Michael A. Morris Some Thoughts on Psychological Operations . 97 William F. Johnston 8 The Role of Public Opinion . 105 Lloyd A. Free 9 A Critical Analysis of US PSYOP . 121 Lt Col Philip P. Katz, USA, Retired Ronald D. McLaurin Preston S. Abbott PART III Strategic, Tactical, and Operational PSYOP Introduction . 151 10 Soviet Active Measures . 153 DeWitt S. Copp 11 What Soviet PSYOP Mirror Imaging Can Tell Us . 191 James Melnich 12 Indoctrination of Hate . 197 Lev Yudovich iv Essay Page 13 Intelligence and Psychological Operations . 203 Col Joseph S. Gordon, USAR 14 What the US Information Program Cannot Do . .213 George V. Allen 15 Defector Operations . 217 Lt Col John Ozaki, USA 16 Tactical PSYOP and Strategic Objectives. 225 Ronald D. McLaurin Part IV Case Studies of PSYOP Applications Introduction . .231 17 US and Vietcong Psychological Operations in Vietnam . 233 18 The Iraqi Propaganda Network . 243 19 Psychological Operations in Panama During Operations Just Cause and Promote Liberty . 249 Col Dennis P. Walko, USA 20 Psychological Operations in Action: Poland’s Underground Media . 279 Laurence J. Orzell 21 The Libyan Raid as a Psychological Operation . 289 Col Frank L. Goldstein, USAF Essay Page 22 The Role of Military Psychological Operations in Support of National Antidrug Policy . 295 Maj James V. Keifer, USAF, Retired 23 Political-Psychological Dimensions of Counterinsurgency . 319 Gen Richard G. Stilwell, USA, Retired 24 The Psychological Dimension of the Military Element of National Power . 333 Maj James V. Keifer, USAF, Retired 25 PSYOP in Desert Shield/Desert Storm . , , 341 Col Frank L. Goldstein, USAF Col Daniel W. Jacobowitz, USAF, Retired EPILOGUE . 357 Lt Gen Samuel V. Wilson, USA, Retired CONTRIBUTORS . 359 Illustrations Lire Page 1 Loudspeaker Message Handbook (with extract) . 255 2 Safe conduct passes . 259 3 "Money for Guns" handbill . 262 4 Christmas cards . 263 5 "Wanted" poster . 265 6 "Wanted" handbill . 266 7 PSYOP newspaper . .267 8 `-l\vin Flag" miniposter . .268 9 "Money for Guns" poster . .271 10 Military Support Group (MSG) . 273 Table 1 Exhibit I PSYOP Effort and Relative Effectiveness in the Persian Gulf . .~ . 349 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Foreword From a military commander's perspective, the role of psychological operations (PSYOP) in the successful planning and execution of modern military operations is absolutely essential . The recent successes of PSYOP in Panama and the Persian Gulf amply demonstrate its importance in achieving our military objectives and national goals. PSYOP is an integral part of the United States Special Operations Command mission. Today, the military faces a dynamic and unpredictable world. PSYOP will remain a valuable instrument in our overall defense posture and will be a key asset in the fulfillment of US national policy. Psychological Operations : Principles and Case Studies serves as a fundamental guide to PSYOP philosophy, concepts, principles, issues, and thought for both those new to, and those experienced in, the PSYOP field and PSYOP applications . This book clarifies the value of PSYOP as a cost-effective weapon and incorporates it as a psychological instrument of US military and political power, especially given our present budgetary constraints . The authors contribute to the understanding of psychological operations by presenting diverse articles that portray the value of the planned use of human actions to influence perceptions, public opinion, attitudes, and behaviors so that PSYOP victories can be achieved in war and in peace. The four sections classify articles with related themes into a common category. Part I offers an overview of the nature and scope of PSYOP and serves as an introduction to the overall nature, historical background, concepts, and principles of psychological operations. These independent articles, which reflect the broad scope of historical development and thought about PSYOP, are intended to be a foundation for understanding the basic nature and key elements of PSYOP. Part II follows with issues and influences related to developing effective US strategy, doctrine, and structure for conducting psychological and political warfare. The authors focus on those psychological issues and roles that have been recurrent as our national policy, objectives, and strategy have been formulated and implemented. They explain historical and contemporary elements of the national policy process and the framework within which national PSYOP policy is formulated, administered, and implemented. Part III deals with the objectives and activities of strategic, tactical, operational, and other types of PSYOP. These authors emphasize that all forms of PSYOP should primarily support the attainment of national policy and objectives . They conclude that the key to all US PSYOP is credibility of the message as defined by the influencing or changing of perceptions, 'attitudes, and behaviors through utilization of words and actions . In Part IV the authors use case studies to present and clarify PSYOP goals, roles, and methods. One of the editors of this book condenses and analyzes (1) US and Vietcong PSYOP in the Vietnam War and (2) the Iraqi propaganda network. The other writers examine tactical and consolidation PSYOP activities in Operations Just Cause and Promote Liberty in Panama . They address (1) our national antidrug policy and its relationship to the role of military psychological operations and (2) the importance of the political-psychological dimensions of conflict and insurgency. By addressing the breadth and depth of psychological operations thought, this collection of PSYOP articles serves as a valuable knowledge base for those who read it. A major purpose of the book is to pull together those previously published articles under one cover in one volume. Psychological Operations should stimulate your thinking and reinforce the value of PSYOP. Preface This book explores the breadth and depth of fundamental PSYOP roles, principles, and methods. Many of these readings were previously published in professional journals. Psychological Operations: Principles and Case Studies is not a collective work and does not attempt to be. Each article is an independent effort and together they represent a cross section of what the "best and brightest" feel is key to both offensive and defensive psycho- logical operations. What the 24 contributors share, besides their own particular expertise in PSYOP, is a recognition that a clear understanding of PSYOP is important to our national defense and to the way PSYOP should be conducted in the future. Understanding PSYOP is not a simple task. Historically, both military and civilian discussions of PSYOP throughout the leadership spectrum have regularly substituted cliches, myths, and untruths for hard evidence or analysis of what PSYOP is and how it can serve our national objectives. PSYOP policy and doctrine have not received their deserved attention while hostile PSYOP efforts against the US are misunderstood and often ineffectively countered . Although the Soviet threat has ended, three Soviet PSYOP articles are deliberately included because the classic Soviet PSYOP model has been taught and integrated into third world countries all over the world and will continue to be an influence in the international arena. In 1984, a major effort began to revitalize the state of psychological operations in the United States. That effort was spearheaded in 1985 by a document known as the DOD PSYOP Master Plan. The