Cold War II: The Propaganda Front

This CBS News report gives more evidence that the War on Terror is designed to replace the Cold War in the hearts, minds, and bank accounts of a hypertrophied worldwide military-industrial-intellectual complex, yearning to pay off everyone to get them on board for a renewed campaign of American triumphalism that will be judged as a grand success just as long as the checks keep clearing.

The story begins:
"Pentagon officials are debating whether to use the military to conduct covert propaganda operations in allied nations, ten months after disbanding a controversial office that had the same goal.

Tasks could include such things as paying journalists in European nations to write favorable stories about American policies or secretly financing books or schools to counter radical Islam taught at some of Pakistan's madrassas, or religious schools, defense officials said Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity."

It's good the story mentioned the first time this idea was floated—then allegedly scuttled. It reminds us that shot-down trial balloons often take flight later under cover of darkness. Keep your eyes peeled on the dim horizon for son of Operation: TIPS.