Analysts say ‘strategic leaks’ aim to influence public perceptions amid diplomatic impasse in US-Israel war on Iran.
Archiv: Wahrnehmungs-Management / perception management
The Agony Around the Democrats’ Mysterious, Ridiculous Autopsy
(May 22, 2026)
Rarely has a document been at once as mysterious and anticlimactic as the Democratic National Committee’s autopsy of what went wrong in the 2024 election, which, after much drama and angst, was finally published on Thursday.
The committee’s chair, Ken Martin, promised a full audit of party operations when he was running for his seat, and again when he won it. Last July, officials said it would be out in the fall. Fall came and went, and in December, Martin said it wouldn’t be released at all. By hiding it, Martin made the report an object of suspicion and fascination.
Gaza war and Israel go unmentioned in Democrats’ 2024 election autopsy report
Axios reported in February that the top Democrats who worked on the report concluded that Harris “lost significant support because of the Biden administration’s approach to the war in Gaza.”
If that’s the case, it’s not reflected in the document that CNN published on Thursday morning.
Read the DNC’s 2024 autopsy obtained by CNN
CNN is publishing a copy of a report into why Democrats lost the 2024 presidential election conducted at the request of Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin.
This version of the report – better known as the 2024 autopsy – was written by Democratic strategist Paul Rivera. The DNC withheld the report until presented with CNN’s reporting about much of its contents. The copy published by CNN includes annotations in red that the DNC added to its version of Rivera’s report. CNN has not modified the report and does not vouch for the accuracy of any statements within the report or the DNC’s annotations.
The UAE says drones that targeted its Barakah nuclear power plant came from Iraqi territory
The drones that targeted the United Arab Emirates’ Barakah nuclear power plant all came from Iraq, the country’s Defense Ministry said on Tuesday, an indication that Iraqi Shiite militias backed by Iran were likely behind the assault.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but Tehran and its militia proxies have launched drone attacks targeting Gulf Arab states since Israel and the United States began their war against Iran on Feb.
Der Krieg um die Wahrnehmung: Wie künstliche Intelligenz beginnt, öffentliche Realität zu formen
Hinzu kommt ein Faktor, der politisch bislang erstaunlich wenig diskutiert wird: KI-Systeme lernen, welche Inhalte besonders starke emotionale Reaktionen auslösen. Angst, Wut, Empörung und moralische Zuspitzung erzeugen Aufmerksamkeit, und Aufmerksamkeit ist die eigentliche Währung digitaler Plattformen. Dadurch entsteht ein Mechanismus, der gesellschaftliche Spannungen systematisch verstärken kann.
Die eigentliche Gefahr liegt dabei weniger in einzelnen Falschmeldungen als in der dauerhaften Veränderung öffentlicher Wahrnehmung. Wenn Menschen permanent mit emotionalisierten, algorithmisch optimierten Inhalten konfrontiert werden, verändert sich schrittweise die Art, wie politische Realität wahrgenommen wird. Komplexe Zusammenhänge werden auf Schlagworte reduziert, Gegner moralisch entwertet, Unsicherheit in Feindbilder übersetzt.
Jihadists appear caught offguard by release of Steven Sotloff video
(September 2, 2014)
The video of Steven Sotloff‘s apparent murder appears to have been found by a private US intelligence firm before it could be released by the Islamic State.
News of Mr Sotloff‘s death was broken by the SITE Intelligence group, a private company that monitors jihadist activity and has close ties to the American intelligence community.
The group‘s analysts found the video on what a spokesman described as „a file-sharing site“ and send it out to its subscriber list. SITE‘s subscribers include government officials, journalists and academics involved in analysing terrorism.
Leak Severed a Link to Al-Qaeda‘s Secrets
(October 9, 2007)
The al-Qaeda video aired on Sept. 7 attracted international attention as the first new video message from the group‘s leader in three years. In it, a dark-bearded bin Laden urges Americans to convert to Islam and predicts failure for the Bush administration in Iraq and Afghanistan. The video was aired on hundreds of Western news Web sites nearly a full day before its release by a distribution company linked to al-Qaeda.
Computer logs and records reviewed by The Washington Post support SITE‘s claim that it snatched the video from al-Qaeda days beforehand. Katz requested that the precise date and details of the acquisition not be made public, saying such disclosures could reveal sensitive details about the company‘s methods.
Von Zawahiri zu Spiegel Online
(January 23, 2007)
Das „SITE-Institut“ erklärt übrigens auf seiner website, daß Geheimagenten meistens zu doof seien, Zeitung zu lesen oder sonstirgendwas von Recherche zu verstehen.
Hmm..
Na, jedenfalls würde man ihnen die Arbeit abnehmen, mit allerlei Untersuchungen finanzieller Zusammenhänge, Identifizierungen, öffentliche Quellen anzapfen, blabla.
Warum sie es dann in all den Jahren zwar schaffen, Sawahiri-Botschaften abzufangen, aber nicht wissen, von wem die kommen und wohin die gehen, sagt dieses Institut des Vertrauens nicht.
Man stelle sich mal jemand auf einem Baseballfeld vor, der mit verbundenen Augen (fröhlich vor sich hin pfeifend) locker die Hand nach oben hält (nachdem er vorher nicht etwa wie beknackt über den Platz gesprintet ist, nein, nein, sondern einfach nur dagestanden hat, natürlich ohne was zu sehen) und dann fröhlich ruft:“ I got it!“ und einen Ball in der Hand hält.
Mal ehrlich – zu meiner Zeit hätte man ihn erstmal gefragt, wie viele er davon noch auf Tasche hat.
Terror mit Sprengstoff oder Waffen: Verfassungsschutz warnt vor Anschlägen pro-iranischer Gruppe
Die Behörde erklärte auf Anfrage des „Handelsblatts“ (Dienstagsausgabe):
„Neu ist die Warnung HAYIs, sich nunmehr nicht mehr nur auf ‚einfache‘ Angriffe zu beschränken, sondern langfristig auch gefährlichere Tatmittel einzubeziehen.“
(…)
Bei dem jüngsten Angriff am Samstag war eine Flasche mit einem Brandbeschleuniger durch das Fenster einer Synagoge in Harrow vor den Toren von London geworfen worden.
Nach Angaben der Organisation SITE Intelligence Group übernahm die bislang wenig in Erscheinung getretene Gruppe HAYI die Verantwortung für einen Teil der Angriffe. Die Organisation unterhält demnach enge Verbindungen zu Iran.
Quelle: AFP
The Gulf of Tonkin Incident: Did America lie to start a war?
In August 1964, as Cold War tension continued to fuel Washington’s obsession with the aim of stopping communist expansion in Southeast Asia, a brief naval encounter off the coast of North Vietnam rapidly triggered full-scale U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.
Within days, President Lyndon B. Johnson received very broad congressional support to wage war, and officials justified this decision with reports of two unprovoked attacks on American destroyers that were operating in the Gulf of Tonkin.
Years later, as declassified evidence exposed errors and deliberate gaps in the reports, it became increasingly clear to many historians that the incident had not occurred exactly as described and that American leaders had, in significant ways, manipulated facts to justify the decision to send more forces to war.
The Gulf of Tonkin Incident: Deception, Escalation, and the March to War in Vietnam
(May 25, 2024)
The Gulf of Tonkin incident in August 1964 marked a pivotal turning point in the United States‘ involvement in Vietnam. What began as a limited, covert conflict rapidly escalated into a massive, decade-long war that would claim the lives of over 58,000 Americans and millions of Vietnamese. At the heart of this transformation was a murky naval skirmish off the coast of North Vietnam that was shrouded in confusion, miscommunication, and outright deception.
The events of August 1964 in the Gulf of Tonkin have long been a source of controversy and debate among historians, policymakers, and the American public. The incident raises profound questions about the use and abuse of intelligence, the manipulation of public opinion, the accountability of political leaders, and the proper role of Congress in checking presidential war powers.
Der Geheimdienst und seine Journalisten
Der Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) zahlt Honorare an Journalisten. Aus Gründen des „Staatswohls“ hält die Bundesregierung Namen und genaue Summen jedoch zurück.
Taktik des Terrorkrieges: Wahrnehmungs-Management, Verwirrung, gelenkte Querfront
(7. Juni 2017)
Ohne auf alle in der Dokumentation dargestellten Entwicklungen und Hintergründe einzugehen, beleuchtet diese u.a. die jahrzehntelange Taktik des „Wahrnehmungs-Managements“ (perception management), die Manipulation der Öffentlichen Meinung, die Lenkung vermeintlich verfeindeter oder sich gegenseitig bekriegender Gruppen durch die gleiche Hand (befördert durch die Unfähigkeit zu dreidimensionalem Verständnis von Politik, links vs rechts, progressiv vs reaktionär, oben vs unten) die gezielte Konfusion jedweder Opposition und die permanente Formwandlung der Macht und der Mächtigen, um sie nicht greifbar und damit unangreifbar erscheinen zu lassen.
Die untenstehenden und in der Dokumentation über die Jahrzehnte genannten Beispiele sind im Zuge der Entwicklung von informationstechnischer Technologie, weltweitem Einsickern von kapitalistischen (Denk)Strukturen und deren Verschmelzung („Globalisierung“), sowie Terrorkrieg in den letzten bald sechzehn Jahren praktisch auf jedes Land bzw jede Region übertragbar.
Oil plunges, stocks soar after Iranian president offers first signs of willingness to end war with US
In comments first reported by state media, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told EU Council president António Costa that Iran has „the necessary will to end this war“ but expects certain guarantees in exchange.
Pezeshkian also said on Monday that any end to the war in the Middle East must „guarantee the security and interests of the Iranian people,“ according to comments first published by the state news agency IRNA and reported by regional media.
NEW POLL: Most Americans Believe Trump Launched Iran War to Cover Up Epstein Scandal
The survey also probed the question of Israeli influence over Trump’s decision-making. Americans were split over the question of Trump’s loyalty, with 47% saying he is more responsive to the American people than to Israel, and 46% saying he is more responsive to Israel.
Among independents, a crucial voting block that swung the election to Trump, half – 50-44% – said that Trump prioritizes Israeli interests over those of Americans. Among Republicans, 17% said the same. Democrats overwhelmingly held that view, 75-17%.
Asked if the Trump administration was pursuing its war with Iran “primarily for American interests” or “primarily for Israeli interest,” the public was also divided, but half – 50-41% – said that he was considering America first. Another 9% said they didn’t know.
NEW POLL: Majority of Americans Believe Trump Launched Iran War to Cover Up Epstein Scandal
Doing sophisticated polling that follows best practices is an expensive endeavor, which is why it’s usually left to major media with major budgets. But thanks to the generous support of our readers, we decided it’s something we can afford, too, and we teamed up with our friends at Zeteo to split the costs of a national survey of likely American voters, one that allowed us to ask the kinds of questions we’re interested in, and that we believe you’ll be interested in too.
We hope to do more of these in the future, particularly if there’s reader interest. In fact, one way we gauge that is by looking at how many readers decide to become donors or paying subscribers after reading a particular article.
CIA working to arm Kurdish forces to spark uprising in Iran, sources say
(March 4, 2026)
Washington and Erbil, Iraq —
The CIA is working to arm Kurdish forces with the aim of fomenting a popular uprising in Iran, multiple people familiar with the plan told CNN.
The Trump administration has been in active discussions with Iranian opposition groups and Kurdish leaders in Iraq about providing them with military support, the sources said.
Pro-American Kurdish Forces Are Preparing Possible Iran Incursion
(March 4, 2026)
Pro-American, Iranian Kurdish forces based in Iraq are preparing armed units that could enter Iran, creating a potential new front in an already expanding conflict, according to Iraqi officials and senior members of Iranian Kurdish groups.
The C.I.A. has previously given small arms to the Iranian Kurdish forces as part of a covert program to destabilize Iran, an effort that began before the current war, according to people familiar with the effort.
UK says drone attack on Cyprus base was not launched from Iran
A drone which hit Britain‘s Royal Air Force Akrotiri base in Cyprus was not launched from Iran as many had initially assumed, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has revealed.
Officials reportedly believe the „Shahed-type drone“ evaded detection by flying low and slow on Sunday. It hit a hangar used by American U-2 spy planes and burst into flames.
There were no casualties and the MoD said there was „no damage to equipment inside the hangar“.
But the UK has still not confirmed where exactly the drone was launched from – and who was responsible.
GAME OF DRONES Iranian drone strike on UK air base in Cyprus hit hangar used by top secret US spy planes
Western officials insisted the drone was “not fired from Iran”.
An source said: “We have acquired that drone and we can confirm that it is a Shahed-type drone.
“We do know that drone was not launched from Iran.
“Based on type of drone and its range and ability, Defence Intelligence can confirm that that drone was not launched from Iran.”
Earlier Healey had signalled the drone was airborne for more than an hour.
Desinformation und demokratische Resilienz
Taktiken, Techniken und Verfahren
Informationsmanipulation und Einflussnahme aus dem Ausland sowie Akteure, die Desinformation verbreiten bzw. Informationsmanipulation und Einflussnahme aus dem Ausland betreiben, setzen eine Vielzahl von Taktiken, Techniken und Verfahren ein, um Informationen zu manipulieren und die öffentliche Wahrnehmung zu beeinflussen.
Die am häufigsten verwendeten Taktiken, Techniken und Verfahren sind u. a.:
– Polarisierung durch die Förderung extremer Meinungen, um Konflikte innerhalb einer Gesellschaft zu verschärfen, was die demokratische Debatte erschweren kann
– Manipulation von Inhalten, indem authentische Informationen oder Medien verändert werden, wie das Bearbeiten von Bildern oder Videos, um ihre Bedeutung zu verändern
– Erstellung erfundener Inhalte, wie gefälschte Websites, die echte Quellen nachahmen, Deepfakes und KI-generiertes Ton- und Bildmaterial
– Schaffung falscher Narrative, Identitätsbetrug und die missbräuchliche Verwendung diplomatischer oder institutioneller Konten in den sozialen Medien
– Diskreditierung zuverlässiger Quellen und Umdeutung von Kontext
– Erweiterung der Reichweite durch den Einsatz von Bots, Trollen oder koordinierten Netzwerken, um die Sichtbarkeit und Glaubwürdigkeit von Desinformation künstlich zu steigern
– Einsatz von Cyber-Tools, einschließlich Hacking und anderer Cyberaktivitäten, um Informationen zu stehlen, zu verändern oder zu erfinden
Via WhatsApp: Qatar‘s alleged path into the office of Israel‘s prime minister
(August 7, 2025)
WhatsApp communications show messaging sent from former Netanyahu aide Einhorn to then-spokesperson Feldstein, on to closest aide Urich, before being echoed by the prime minister or disseminated to the media; Netanyahu, Einhorn, Urich deny allegations of wrongdoing
Stocks Jump After Trump Announces Greenland Agreement—Dow Rises Nearly 600 Points
In a Truth Social post later in the day, Trump called the threatened tariffs off and announced a “framework” for a deal concerning the island, but offered few details about an agreement.
Crucial Quote
“I think it puts everybody in a really good position especially as it pertains to security and minerals and everything else,” Trump told reporters.
Ex-aide says Netanyahu ordered him to help evade public responsibility for the October 7 attack
(December 26, 2025)
Speaking to Kan, Feldstein said, “the first task” he received from Netanyahu after October 7, 2023, was to stifle calls for accountability.
“He asked me, ‘What are they talking about in the news? Are they still talking about responsibility?‘” Feldstein said. “He wanted me to think of something that could be said that would offset the media storm surrounding the question of whether the prime minister had taken responsibility or not.”
He added that Netanyahu looked “panicked” when he made the request. Feldstein said he was later told by people in Netanyahu’s close circle to omit the word “responsibility” from all statements.
Netanyahu’s ex-aide says PM was ‘behind’ leak of intel to Bild and lied about it later
(December 24, 2025)
“[Netanyahu] is the one who ultimately was behind the leak,” Feldstein said emphatically, adding that he told interrogators the same thing repeatedly after his arrest and eventual indictment over the matter.
The document in question was an internal Hamas memo purporting to show that the terror group wasn’t interested in the compromises necessary to reach a hostage deal. After it was leaked to the Bild, Netanyahu used it to argue that only further military pressure would lead to the release of the hostages.
Das Wörterbuch der Kriegstüchtigkeit (XIX) – Heute dabei: „faul“, „Friedensangst“, „Generation Waschlappen“ und „glasklarer Auftrag“
Vokabelkritik ist zu Kriegszeiten das Gebot der Stunde. Ich veröffentliche in unregelmäßigen Abständen eine Sammlung teils verharmlosender, teils lügenhafter Wörter oder Formulierungen, deren Sinn und Funktion es ist, unsere Gesellschaft – uns alle – an das Undenkbare zu gewöhnen und möglichst geräuschlos in Richtung „Kriegstüchtigkeit“ umzukrempeln.