NATO, U.S. neglect 'psychological warfare' - report

[maddezmom]

LONDON, Jan 31 (Reuters) - The United States and its allies must pay more attention to 'psychological warfare' as they battle insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan, an influential think-tank said on Wednesday.

"Insurgents and jihadists have proved adept at conducting successful information campaigns that reach a global audience and foment violence elsewhere," the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said.

"But Western militaries have shown insufficient capability in their own attempts to carry out information and psychological operations, its annual report, "The Military Balance", said.
~snip~

"Using 'body count' as a measure of effect has a very different impact within the area of operations than it does with a home audience," the report said.

"The psychological effect at home is one of military success and may generate political support. In the theatre of operations the opposite may be true, with every publicly announced kill delivering more willing recruits to the cause."

more:http://mobile.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L31543521.htm

[Dover]

1. "The psychological effect at home is one of military success and may generate political support."

Say what?!!

I'd say the authors of this report don't have much of a psychological feel for U.S. sentiment about 'body count'. Geeeeesh!