Propaganda has undergone significant transformation as technology evolves, yet its core mission remains unchanged: to shape public perception in order to influence policy. Historical examples illustrate how governments have harnessed various communication tools to accomplish this goal. During World War I, the United States established its first organized influence campaign through the Committee on Public Information (CPI). This initiative effectively utilized newspapers, films, posters, and public speeches to garner support for U.S. involvement in the war, marking a shift from scattered persuasive efforts to a coordinated federal approach.
The CPI not only standardized government messaging but also changed the relationship between media and state power. Following World War II, the U.S. Department of Defense formalized psychological operations as a strategic method to convey selected information to foreign audiences. This approach was intended to influence emotions, reasoning, and behavior, as outlined in Joint Publication 3-13 on information operations. Subsequent directives redefined these operations as integrated efforts to guide adversarial decision-making while safeguarding U.S. interests.
The post-9/11 period further illustrated how deeply woven perception management had become within U.S. foreign policy. The Washington Post’s “Afghanistan Papers” revealed that senior officials frequently presented optimistic assessments of the war while privately acknowledging significant failures and manipulated metrics. This discrepancy indicated a system where narrative control often overshadowed ground realities, creating a feedback loop where the crafted story influenced policy rather than merely reflecting it.
Global Adaptation of Propaganda Techniques
Other nations have observed and adapted these methods to suit their own objectives. Russia’s Internet Research Agency, for instance, has modernized propaganda strategies by employing fabricated social media personas and emotional targeting. A bipartisan report from the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee documented how Russian operatives utilized these tactics to engage with American voters during the 2016 election cycle. This evolution signifies a departure from traditional broadcasting methods toward algorithm-driven influence, where tailored content appears personalized instead of overtly manufactured.
In a notable recent development, Israeli public relations contractors have employed geofencing techniques to deliver political messaging around U.S. churches. According to filings with the Foreign Agent Registration Act, the organization Show Faith by Works proposed an extensive digital campaign targeting the congregations of major churches in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado. This initiative aims to geofence church boundaries during worship times, thereby tracking attendees for subsequent advertising. Reports indicate that 38 churches in Arizona were specifically identified, while more than 200 churches were noted in Texas filings.
Influencers and the Algorithmic State
Complementing the geofencing strategy, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has funded a broad paid influencer campaign. Invoices filed with the U.S. Department of Justice reveal that Bridges Partners billed nearly $900,000 for engaging 14 to 18 influencers to produce between 75 and 90 posts on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Investigators calculated that influencers received compensation of approximately $6,100 to $7,300 per post. The initiative seeks to extend this model by incorporating Christian influencers with substantial youth followings, blending state messaging with seemingly personal testimony to create an authentic narrative.
This shift indicates a broader trend where propaganda is no longer a blanket broadcast but rather a personalized experience integrated into daily life. Traditional methods, such as Cold War leaflets, have transformed into targeted social media personas, while press conferences have morphed into monetized influencer content. Whether through Russian digital operations or Israeli geofencing strategies, the underlying principle remains consistent: to shape the information landscape so thoroughly that the messaging feels like an inherent part of everyday existence rather than an overt political maneuver.
The implications of these developments are significant. Propaganda becomes most effective when it operates invisibly, seamlessly integrated with the platforms people use for news and social interaction. Techniques may have evolved, but the objective remains the same: control the narrative to establish a political reality shaped by those in power.
