Government

Update: Top Afghan Cmdr. Orders Probe Over ‘Psy-Ops’ Allegations

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan is ordering an investigation into charges that an army unit trained in psychological operations was improperly told to manipulate American senators to get more money and troops for the war.

A senator allegedly targeted said Thursday that he’s confident there will be a review of the facts, but played down the idea that he was manipulated.

The staff of Lt. Gen. William Caldwell, head of the effort to train Afghan security forces, ordered the information operations unit to compile profiles, voting records and other information on visiting lawmakers to leverage in a campaign to get more assistance, said a story Thursday on Rolling Stone’s website. It says the campaign also improperly targeted the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, and others.

Caldwell’s office denied that the command used information operations cell to influence distinguished visitors. But a press statement from Kabul said that the commander of forces in Afghanistan, Gen. David Petraeus would order a probe “based on the information” in the article.

But the episode underscores how murky the dividing line can be between information operations and public affairs officers – one the Pentagon has wrestled with in recent years as it struggled to win the hearts and minds of populations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Pentagon spokesman Col. Dave Lapan said Thursday that the probe will look at the actions taken by Caldwell and his staff and determine whether they were inappropriate or illegal.That distinction, he said, depends on the circumstances.

“It just depends on what it is they are doing. It’s the actions not just the assignment,” said Lapan. “It all depends on how the information is used. There is no blanket prohibition against having that information provided.”

As an example, he said an information operations officer could be asked to look up someone’s biography online. He added that Petraeus will announce who the investigating officer will be, but said it does not necessarily have to be someone of the same or higher rank than Caldwell.

The military cell devoted to what is known as “information operations” believed their mission on arriving in Afghanistan in November 2009 was to assess the effects of U.S. propaganda on the Taliban and local Afghan population, Rolling Stone said, quoting Lt. Col. Michael Holmes, whom it identified as the leader of the five-man team.

Holmes said they resisted the order to compile information on congressional delegations that were visiting there and think of what information “to plant inside their heads.” He said they were subjected to retaliation for resisting.

“My job in psy-ops is to play with people’s heads, to get the enemy to behave the way we want them to behave,” Holmes is quoted as saying. “When you ask me to try to use these skills on senators and congressman, you’re crossing a line.”

Those singled out in the campaign included Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., Jack Reed, D-R.I., Al Franken, D-Minn., and Carl Levin, D-Mich. Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., of the House Appropriations Committee; the Czech ambassador to Afghanistan; the German interior minister, and a host of influential think-tank analysts, the story said, without identifying the international figures by name.

Levin pointed out Thursday that he has long been in favor of building up Afghan forces.

“For years, I have strongly and repeatedly advocated for building up Afghan military capability because I believe only the Afghans can truly secure their nation’s future,” Levin said in a statement. “I have never needed any convincing on this point. Quite the opposite, my efforts have been aimed at convincing others of the need for larger, more capable Afghan security forces, and that we and NATO should send more trainers to Afghanistan, rather than more combat troops.”

—

Associated Press writer Deb Riechmann contributed to this report from Kabul.

Comments (37)

  • Contrarian51
    Posted on February 24, 2011 at 11:51pm

    On the other hand, perhaps this simply falls into the “checks and balances” category. These senators are already being influenced by lobbyists, so maybe this was just a form of deprogramming.

    Report Post »  
  • spreadcommonsensenot pc
    Posted on February 24, 2011 at 10:17pm

    They WERE staring at goats……….whats the beef

    Report Post »  
  • donh2
    Posted on February 24, 2011 at 6:38pm

    This is ABSURD. Senator John McCain suffers from Stockholm Syndrom and does not need any “psy ops” techniques to control his weak broken mind. Just quote Ho Chi Min ” When the prison doors are opened, the real dragon will fly out. ” and Johnny Boy will obey any orders coming from his communist masters.

    Report Post »  
  • NathanM
    Posted on February 24, 2011 at 5:28pm

    So, the Lt. Col. says he didn’t actually perform Psy. Ops. on the Senators and was retaliated against because of it. Then a discussion starts about whether what he didn’t do worked or not? Did I miss something? :)

    Report Post »  
  • CulperGang
    Posted on February 24, 2011 at 4:05pm

    Finally!!! the traitors on the Hill being scrutinized by the Oathkeepers and defenders of the nation!!! Finally!

    We the People says……..”All clear, it’s a go!!!”

    Report Post » CulperGang  
  • NHABE64
    Posted on February 24, 2011 at 2:34pm

    My God, can we trust anyone anymore ?

    Report Post »  
    • Juan Gault
      Posted on February 24, 2011 at 4:08pm

      Here’s an idea, General Pretraous for POTUS 2012.

      Report Post »  
  • Disabledvet
    Posted on February 24, 2011 at 2:33pm

    It shows just how weak our Senators are, Way to go General we need more like you.

    Report Post »  
  • cluelessinky
    Posted on February 24, 2011 at 2:32pm

    The general didn’t need psy-ops for our elected scum. All he has to do is wave a blank check in front of them. They’ll follow it like a cat follows catnip. I have nothing but contempt for pols, they ready to sell their votes and their souls to the highest bidder. Our founding fathers are spinning in their graves what a shame.

    Report Post »  
  • Female
    Posted on February 24, 2011 at 2:22pm

    You got me to finally make a comment!

    ?“Men who Stare at Goats”!??? Like anybody in this government needs convincing to spend $$$$. If we want to preform “psy-ops” get it into their heads: muslim terrorists exist; we need to be a republic which follows the law set forth in our constitution, to balance the budget, cut the spending, stop abortion and gay marriage. This would truly be something of achievement for “psy-ops”. Then, “Rolling Stones” would have something to report. Compiling information wawawawa. What is next? Torture by tri-tip diners and “whining”?

    Unions and Children have been doing this to people for years.

    Please, may GOD help this nation from absolute, continual drival and foolishness.

    Report Post »  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on February 24, 2011 at 2:21pm

    all progressives. what a SHOCK

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
  • curtmavi38
    Posted on February 24, 2011 at 2:13pm

    Haven’t they been doing this with commercials for years.meh

    Report Post »  
  • asmith
    Posted on February 24, 2011 at 2:00pm

    It’s disturbing to know that senators are being targeted by propoganda, but not suprising because all of America is being targeted by propoganda eveyday. I wish we had psy-ops to convince Obama to put the checkbook down. He could golf everyday until the end of his term for all I care.

    Report Post »  
  • nostromo
    Posted on February 24, 2011 at 1:45pm

    It seems to me that profiles (biography info) and voting records (where people stand on the issues) would be completely legit information to know about someone with whom you are trying to negotiate something. The other info intriques me. Like what other info? Making the accusation seems to be the whole story rather than any evidence that the accusation is true.

    Report Post »  
    • Showtime
      Posted on February 24, 2011 at 1:53pm

      I think the evidence is something that they really do not want to be made public during an investigation. SOMETHING surely got Petraeus hot under the collar, though.

      Report Post » Showtime  
  • Showtime
    Posted on February 24, 2011 at 1:25pm

    “Those singled out in the campaign included Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., Jack Reed, D-R.I., Al Franken, D-Minn., and Carl Levin, D-Mich. Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., of the House Appropriations Committee; the Czech ambassador to Afghanistan; the German interior minister, and a host of influential think-tank analysts, the story said, without identifying the international figures by name.”

    Hmmm-All Democrats except for the Republican RINO.

    “The staff of Lt. Gen. William Caldwell, head of the effort to train Afghan security forces, ordered the information operations unit to compile profiles, voting records and other information on visiting lawmakers to leverage in a campaign to get more assistance, said a story Thursday on Rolling Stone’s website. It says the campaign also improperly targeted the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, and others.”

    General Petraeus will take care of things. Don’t know why I trust him exactly, but my gut tells me he’s a “good guy.” Maybe he’s a conservative Republican?

    Report Post » Showtime  
    • Showtime
      Posted on February 24, 2011 at 1:50pm

      Well, maybe because Petraeus is a MILITARY hero, who upholds the Constitution of the United States and has sworn to protect us against all enemies, both foreign and domestic! (Quite frankly, I’ll be glad to see him back in the States!!!)

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • etetetet
      Posted on February 24, 2011 at 1:53pm

      Don’t they have to have a functioning brain for this stuff to work :)

      Report Post »  
  • DashRipRock
    Posted on February 24, 2011 at 1:24pm

    I need to re order my supply of Tin Foil hats for ebay

    before TOWERSEVEN reads this….

    Report Post »  
  • ImahaIngttta
    Posted on February 24, 2011 at 1:18pm

    “lobbyist”?

    Report Post » enemy of the statist  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on February 24, 2011 at 1:44pm

      Exactly! Did they lie to Senators? Did they drug them? Did they use force? If the answer is no, they are just well trained lobbyists.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on February 24, 2011 at 1:15pm

    If this investigation shows criminal wrongdoing has occured, in any form, then I hope they are brought to accounting in the fullest by the military courts; the turning of military assets upon the civilian leaders of the nation is frightening and reprehensible across the board. Anyone breaking the code and crossing the line needs to be stopped, and dealt with so hard they will still be wincing for the next ten generations at the thought of them.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on February 24, 2011 at 1:38pm

      Barry Barack Hussein Obama Soetoro overheard this, Those antenna dishes on the side of his head collect more information about Traitorous Tea Party members than the SETI array

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • TexasProgressive
      Posted on February 24, 2011 at 1:41pm

      Wow 13th, thats an absurd comment even for this board…nice work

      Report Post »  
    • omgfolks
      Posted on February 24, 2011 at 1:45pm

      Give this General another GOLD STAR.! Do what ever it takes to protect our troops and end this war. Sorry if the senators felt slighted, SO DO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, I say give them more bullets and let them do their job and get home. So what if the General used the same tactics being played out on the American people via media… The need a taste of reality anyway.

      Report Post »  
    • Curator_JDR
      Posted on February 24, 2011 at 1:45pm

      If you want to win hearts and minds in Afghanistan and Iraq, then FREE THEM from Islam. The Taliban are mostly Pashtun which, believe it or not, have roots from the Israelite tribe of Benjamin. The last king of Afghanistan Zahir Shah who reigned in Kabul until 1973 reportedly claimed his family was descended from what he called the tribe of Benjamin.

      The TRUTH will set you free. Historic Israel National Radio Interview: http://www.marcrubin.com/judean-eve.ivnu

      Report Post » Curator_JDR  
    • Showtime
      Posted on February 24, 2011 at 1:47pm

      @13th Imam
      Posted on February 24, 2011 at 1:38pm
      “Barry Barack Hussein Obama Soetoro overheard this, Those antenna dishes on the side of his head….”

      Never thought about his ears like that before,. Now, that’s funny, you have to admit!

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • hauschild
      Posted on February 24, 2011 at 1:58pm

      SNOW:

      Barry and his band of miserable imbeciles cross lines every day that none of us would have thought possible 20 years ago.

      So, pardon me for not rushing to judgment on this one; especially considering the source of the story – a progressive rag.

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on February 24, 2011 at 2:11pm

      @Hauschild

      I understand anyone not rushing in to judgement on this matter; the military is the one last bastion of liberty in the country that the administration needs to break to their will. Pulling off psy ops upon the leadership of America, and the people of America, is reprehensable to the worst levels. We entrust them to protect and defend the nation and the constitution; the fact of even a handful of rouges in the forces can be used by the administration to denounce the whole forces before the nation, and then have the created excuse to break them.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • hauschild
      Posted on February 24, 2011 at 2:53pm

      SNOW:

      I hear ya, but nothing the left ever reports is completely accurate the first time around.

      But, you’re right; it’s not a path we want to go down.

      Report Post »  
    • RJDeforest
      Posted on February 24, 2011 at 3:11pm

      The only thing the General is guilty of is not going far enough by surrounding Washington, arresting the corrupt criminals running it, and returning the power and rights of the U.S. Constitution to the citizens of this once great nation.

      Report Post » RJDeforest  
    • HappyStretchedThin
      Posted on February 24, 2011 at 3:27pm

      Thanks again for your wisdom, Snow. I especially like that you started the whole thought with that IF.
      I‘m completely with you IF they’re guilty. And if the authorities find there is no wrongdoing, I’ll be just as quick to condemn the accusers.
      On the other hand, our military DOES need the support of us all. And the line between non-coercive persuasion and psy-ops is pretty broad and pretty fuzzy. I’d allow a LOT of leeway on a US SENATOR, for the mental toughness standard that should be required of THEM, for all but the strongest or most underhanded persuasive measures to be considered par for the course for them…

      Report Post » HappyStretchedThin  
    • parra5143
      Posted on February 25, 2011 at 10:12am

      my wife uses psy ops on me to give her money all the time. LOL. Major brands use psy ops on american citizens to fork over their hard earned money to buy useless junk.

      Report Post »  

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