Well, well, well, dear patriots. It seems our former Commander-in-Chief had a few tricks up his sleeve when it came to dealing with the Dragon in the East. While the mainstream media was busy chasing Russian ghosts, President Trump was orchestrating a digital dance with Beijing that would make Sun Tzu proud. Buckle up, because this story of clandestine operations and social media subterfuge is about to give you a whole new perspective on the art of modern warfare.
The Covert Campaign Unveiled
Two years into his presidency, Donald Trump authorized the CIA to launch a clandestine campaign on Chinese social media. This operation, which began in 2019, was designed to instill fear among top Chinese authorities by tracking incursions into Beijing’s closely regulated internet. The program, previously secret, was orchestrated by Matt Pottinger, a former senior National Security Council official, and involved a small team of spies using fictitious online identities to build bad narratives about Xi Jinping’s government.
“Your successes are unheralded, your failures are trumpeted.”
This quote from the CIA’s own archives perfectly encapsulates the nature of such covert operations. While the agency’s failures often make headlines, its successes remain hidden from public view–until now.
Global Implications and Reactions
The CIA operation allowed the US to influence public opinion not only in China but also in other nations like Southeast Asia, Africa, and the South Pacific. This broader reach has significant geopolitical implications, potentially reshaping perceptions of both China and the United States across multiple regions.
China’s Foreign Ministry was quick to respond, stating that the CIA program demonstrates how the US government exploits public opinion and media platforms to spread false information. This accusation adds fuel to the already tense relationship between the two global powers and raises questions about the ethics of digital influence campaigns.
Criticisms and Concerns
Critics fear the CIA’s actions may reinforce the perception that the US is hypocritical by meddling in foreign nations while denouncing such actions domestically. This concern is particularly relevant given the ongoing debates about foreign interference in US elections and social media manipulation.
While this quote refers to a different context, it raises an important question about the extent and necessity of covert operations in the modern era. As the US continues to expand its digital influence capabilities, it’s crucial to consider the potential consequences and ethical implications of such actions.
The Technological Arms Race
The program was reportedly a response to China’s increased technological advancements, particularly in recent years. This revelation highlights the ongoing technological arms race between the US and China, with both nations seeking to gain an edge in the digital realm.
Although this quote refers to the Cold War era, it underscores the challenges in accurately assessing an adversary’s capabilities. In the case of China’s technological advancements, the US may be operating on imperfect information, potentially leading to an overestimation or underestimation of the threat.
Long-Term Implications
As CIA covert operations often remain in place throughout administrations when the authority is granted by the President, it’s likely that this program continues to operate under the current administration. This continuity raises questions about the long-term strategy of US foreign policy towards China and the role of covert digital operations in shaping international relations.
The revelation of this covert operation has undoubtedly altered the landscape of US-China relations and may have far-reaching consequences for global diplomacy. As the world grapples with the implications of digital warfare and influence campaigns, the balance between national security and ethical considerations becomes increasingly precarious.
Quotes:
- “Your successes are unheralded, your failures are trumpeted.” https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/cia-rdp70-00058r000100260001-1
- “Nine years after 9/11, it makes a lot of sense to sort of take a look at this and say, ‘Okay, we’ve built tremendous capability, but do we have more than we need?’” https://www.pulitzer.org/cms/sites/default/files/content/washpost_tsa_item1.pdf
- “I think the most honest answer to that is that our estimates of the cost of Soviet forces are analytical reconstructions…. No one has ever made a claim that effort is a particularly exact science. What we do know is what we see on the ground in terms of their military capability.” –https://www.cia.gov/resources/csi/static/dce5fdfdd711572e69c678bae6c19abb/Studies-67-2-Extracts-June2023.pdf
Sources
- https://www.westernjournal.com/cia-addresses-mkultra-claims-regarding-trump-shooting/
- Trump launched CIA covert influence operation against China https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-launched-cia-covert-influence-operation-against-china-2024-03-14/
Videos:
Trump launched CIA covert influence operation against China
Trump Launched CIA Operation To Meddle in Local China Politics
Tweets:
Two years into office, President Donald Trump authorized the CIA to launch a clandestine campaign on Chinese social media aimed at turning public opinion in China against its government, according to former U.S. officials
Source: Reuters pic.twitter.com/yJqQydpccV
— Zagonel (@Zagonel85) March 15, 2024
ON THE PHONE WITH THE CIA PRESS SECRETARY:
Spokesperson at CIA gives me a statement saying that the Program Manager at the Chinese Mission Center caught on tape talking about the higher-ups withholding information from the President, is no longer working at the CIA. pic.twitter.com/ekDAmLm2tW
— James O'Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) May 2, 2024
Efforts are already underway to conduct the most massive counterintelligence operation in U.S. history to sweep the country clean of individuals and organizations that are acting against American interests on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party.#Trump2024 pic.twitter.com/TI8cQnkZ9h
— Dr. Lawrence Sellin (@LawrenceSellin) March 5, 2024