Mil Intelligence Psychological Operations: Principles and Case Studies(US Air Force University)

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Foreword

For 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 Commandmission. Today, the military faces a dynamic and unpredictable world. PSYOP will remain avaluable instrument in ouroverall 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, publicopinion, attitudes, and behaviors so that PSYOP victories can be achieved in war and in peace. The four sections classify articles with related themes in to 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 o fthe 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 messageas defined by the influencing or changing of perceptions, 'attitudes, and behaviors through utilization of words and actions.

In Part IV the authors use case studiest opresent and clarify PSYOP goals, roles, and methods. One of the editors of this book condenses and analyzes 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 Libertyin 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 articless ervesas avaluable 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.
 
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