PSYOP: Symbols in Warfare

Warrior-Mentor · 05-23-2006, 22:30

In WWII, we used the Japanese fear of tigers to our advantage, hence the flying tigers on aircraft.

What animal could we use in the current campaign to help symbolize our efforts?

In christianity, the snake is a symbol of evil...and the eagle has been seen hunting the snake, or carrying a dead snake in it's beak.

What animals are significant in islamic folk tales? Ideally something that hunted evil with discrepancy....

Looking to start and intellectual discussion and brainstorm.

Any ideas?

**Jack Moroney (RIP)** · 05-24-2006, 05:04

I don't think you are going to find one size that fits all as Islam is worldwide and has been inculcated into many cultures and has usurped many countries with historical memories that supercede Islamic "reform". Islam has also evolved over the years as have the countries in which Islam took root so the roles and symbolism of animals have changed. Persia reviled the lion but Iran now uses it as its national symbol. Certainly the lion would also play a role in the African countries. Also I think you have to look at the different sects and how each interprets the Qu'ran. There are probably prohibitions against animal sacrifice in some sects and I would imagine critters that are deeply involved in their roots and culture such as the camel would have significance in the desert but not necessarily in countries without camels. The dog has been seen as impure which has led to abuse of dogs in some countries but in others they are now saying that Islam prohibits animal abuse. No idea, but something worth looking into and something, that if used, has to be carefully targeted to the right audience without causing blowback which can be said of any psyop campaign.

**Roguish Lawyer** · 05-24-2006, 08:13

Let's tell them all of our rounds have been dipped in pig blood.

**Peregrino** · 05-24-2006, 08:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer

Let's tell them all of our rounds have been dipped in pig blood.

Danger Will Robinson, Danger!!! Didn't the Brits get caught up in something like that a long time ago in India?

(Sepoy Mutiny, Hindus, & beef tallow.) Talk about negative effects of propoganda and "blowback". Between COL M's observation about the diversity of Islam and our own demonstrated ineptitude when it comes to (targeting, designing, implementing, and adjusting) Psyop campaigns I'm not sure it would be worth the effort/risk. (That's not a slap on the Psyop nuggers, it's an observation about the BS they go through to get a campaign approved and implemented, especially the hurdles at echelons above reality. I hope it's better than it used to be but in my experience anything State can screw up - they will.) Interesting potentials here for quality discussion.

Peregrino

REMFlt · 05-24-2006, 08:42

RL,
That plan backfired for the British in India, when the "insurgents" spread rumors among Muslim soldiers that the British used lard from pigs to grease their weapons, and spread rumors among indian soldiers that they were greased with cow fat. Considering we're trying to establish Iraqi security forces, I think that would blow up in our faces... Pergrino beat me to it.

**Roguish Lawyer** · 05-24-2006, 11:14

Interesting. I've been googling, and every source I've found says that the rounds were greased with both beef and pig tallow, and that the troops had to bite something off them, which obviously would be a problem for a hindu or muslim.

http://www.bartleby.com/65/in/IndianMu.html

Not sure the situation is the same, but I understand the risk you've identified. OK, who else has a proposal?

smp52 · 05-25-2006, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer

Interesting. I've been googling, and every source I've found says that the rounds were greased with both beef and pig tallow, and that the troops had to bite something off them, which obviously would be a problem for a hindu or muslim.

http://www.bartleby.com/65/in/IndianMu.html

Pardon my intrusion. I don't have much to add with regards to the primary question at hand, but I was schooled in India from 2nd through 10th grade, so I can add a bit to discussion of the Sepoy Mutiny (1857 uprsing/rebellion). It was passed as 'fact' in India that the cases were coated with grease made from pigs or cows. Different sources say either it was rumor, or only a few were made with animal fat before the mistake was corrected.

The gun used was an Enfield rifle-musket where troops had to tear the cartridge case open to pour powder. Paper cases were coated with grease to water-proof them. I looked around and found that the same P53 Enfield was also used by armies in our Civil War.

37F5V · 05-24-2006, 11:21

I haven't been to Iraq or Afghanistan in some time, but Colonel Moroney and Perigrino (especially the comments about the B.S. that the Troops go through just to try and do their jobs) are correct in my estimation. The problem is that it is quite dangerous to target Islam as a whole, any such blanket action would surely blow up in our faces.

The Lion was mentioned by Colonel Moroney and was infact used to some extent when I was in Iraq in 03. I believe they refered to their T-72's as "Lions of the Desert" as far back as Desert Storm. Many of our appeals to Iraqi military personnel used the Lion in reference to their honor, heart, and will to fight.... Kinda like "you fought the good fight but it's time to pack it in" messages. I honestly can't give you any effects due to the fact that no one stood and fought when our TF showed up at their door. They all kinda melted away.

Attacking the credibility, legitimacy, and competance of our enemies might have better results. I was very pleased to see the video released showing the out-takes of Idiot #1 trying to handle the SAW played on the MSM. The truth hurts....

Bottom line is we need to be more aggressive with our PSYOP and quit playing the reactionary game. The touchy feely stuff by itself is only good to a point.

lksteve · 05-24-2006, 20:21

WM, Islam is an iconoclastic cosmology...no graven images of anything...it's a slippery slope, thinking about using animal symbology in that context...they aren't real comfortable with anthromorphic camels, either (although when explained to them, they took to Celmi and Mandeeq when it appeared in Rajo during Restore Hope...while printed images of animals (and people, for that matter) are sensitive, written images, in the form of poetry, seemed to be accepted...while in Somalia, one of the better programs we had started with a poetry contest...once we had some winners, we also had a pretty good idea of what sort of phrasing and word pictures, if you will, could work toward our ends...we used the poems we received as templates for future products and campaigns...Radio Rajo was somewhat successful in putting out our message, in many respects, due to the "favored" affect of words over images...

when it comes to religious symbols, i would be hesitant to use them in an area where i did not have a trusted, native speaking believer as an advisor...

my $0.02...