U.S. Targeted by Taliban and GIRoA IO Campaign

The United States is currently engaged with two adversaries in the information operations (IO) arena. One, of course, is the engagement with the Taliban in the media market place. The Taliban seem to get their message out quick and to great effect utilizing spokesmen, email, tweets, and websites. The Taliban also distribute their "night letters" throughout the rural countryside with the obvious coercive and intimidation capability amplifying the night letter themes. While ISAF - by way of DVIDS, PAOs, and other means - is quick to get its message out it has a defensive and reactive quality. Its' use of Afghan TV and radio outlets may be effective (until Karzai has ads pulled) but the reach beyond the Kabul area is not widespread.

ISAF also seems to be waging battle in the IO arena with the Kabul government (GIRoA). While the Afghans IO might be tainted with inaccuracies and untruths it is still a powerful voice. Lately one has to wonder whose side GIRoA is on? Are they siding with ISAF or with the Taliban? Read "False Claims in Afghan Accusations on U.S. Raid Add to Doubts on Karzai", The New York Times, January 25, 2014.

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