Information Warfare: August 14, 2005

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Its unclear what the Geneva Convention has to say about this, but the United States is unleashing the advertising and marketing experts in Iraq, in an attempt to get Iraqis to come forward more frequently with what they know about IEDs (roadside and suicide bombs). Actually, its not a knuckleheaded idea, as an increasing number of the IEDs, and those who make, plant and deliver them, have been caught because of information provided by concerned Iraqi citizens. The terrorists have made a serious mistake in killing so many Iraqis with their bombs. So the U.S. Department of Defense is spending $7.7 to hire Iraqi advertising and marketing firms to develop an advertising program, and run the ads, to encourage Iraqis to come forward with information, and direct them to police or military organizations that can quickly act on the tips. 

Because of Iraqs booming economy, there has been a huge growth in the advertising and marketing sectors. So there are qualified Iraqis in place to develop and execute the anti-IED campaign. Telephone usage is way up as well, so there is an easy way to report the information. Since 2001, the Department of Defense has acquired a lot of experience in getting the message across in the Islamic world. So this Iraqi effort is not coming out of nowhere.