The White House Turns to Video Games and Hollywood to Fuel Anti-Iran War Propaganda.

How Propaganda Works in Wartime

According to Vox - Загальний: Propaganda plays a critical role in modern warfare, and its use by the United States in its military campaign against Iran—which began in 2023—deserves close scrutiny. The White House has been actively releasing videos that blend real combat footage with clips from video games, sports highlights, and Hollywood movies. These productions aim to promote the destruction of Iran’s missile arsenal and navy, while also reinforcing the message that Iran must NEVER acquire nuclear weapons.

Professor Nick Call of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism has studied how propaganda shapes public opinion during armed conflicts. History shows how top U.S. officials have leveraged propaganda in the past:

• President Woodrow Wilson framed World War I as the war to end all wars.
• President Franklin Roosevelt championed the Four Freedoms at the onset of World War II.
• President George H. W. Bush stressed the need to defend a new world order before the Iraq War.

Cultural propaganda also plays a role. For instance, the Beach Boys' song 'Barbara Ann' was parodied in 1980 as 'Bomb Iran.' President Donald Trump later used this version in a video celebrating airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. These examples show how propaganda can shape perceptions of war and create narratives that justify military action.

The Goals of 'Operation Epic Fury'

Under 'Operation Epic Fury,' the stated objectives include destroying Iran's missile arsenal, eliminating its naval forces, and ensuring that Iran NEVER obtains nuclear weapons. These goals highlight the importance of information warfare as a complement to military strategy and action.

The use of propaganda in today’s conflicts shows how information campaigns can influence public opinion and shape perceptions of government actions. Looking at historical precedents, it is clear that propaganda often accompanies military operations, aiming to build public support and justify interventions. This aspect of warfare remains highly relevant in the modern world, where media plays a powerful role in framing narratives about conflict.