Middle Eastern News Sites Are U.S. Government Propaganda Ops

5 hours ago

Al-Fassel and Pishtaz News are presented as Middle Eastern news outlets but are actually U.S. government-funded propaganda mills, with disclosures hidden in easily missed sections.
These sites echo U.S. foreign policy, particularly in promoting positive views of the U.S., Israel, and Gulf allies while demonizing Iran, and share design and operational ties to past Pentagon psychological operations networks.
The outlets use tactics like anonymous articles, potential AI-generated content, misrepresented facts, and reliance on CENTCOM press releases, with limited social media reach but some penetration into Western academic and media circles.
Despite their covert nature, the sites are considered 'overt' in information warfare terms due to technical disclosures, but their design and lack of prominent labeling deceive most readers about their government origins.
The Intercept's investigation links these sites to ongoing U.S. military propaganda efforts, highlighting a culture of inertia in Pentagon information operations, even as their effectiveness and audience remain limited.

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