Teaching special ops forces about PSYOP in US history

A study of psychological operations in US history shows 21st century warfighters how decisive the unconventional weapon has been in establishing and keeping our democracy. For more than a decade, Dr Waller has lectured on the subject, as one of a series of PSYOP topics in his curriculum, at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare … Read more

Founding Political Warfare Documents of the United States

by J. Michael Waller, editor (IWP/Crossbow Books, 2010/2011), 367 pp. Download PDF of full text here: Founding Political Warfare Docs 3 Public diplomacy and political warfare have been an American tradition since before the founding of the republic. The Continental Congress made its case to the world when it was founded in 1774. In this course … Read more

The first Thanksgiving – Brought to you by a private military contractor

by J Michael Waller / Serviam / November 15, 2008. When American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, private security and military contractors will have guarded the convoys bringing the turkey and gravy. If not for the private security contractor (PSC) business, there would have been no Thanksgiving at all. For it was … Read more

Public Diplomacy Reader launched at Heritage Foundation

The Heritage Foundation hosted the official launch of The Public Diplomacy Reader, Professor J. Michael Waller’s 500-page compendium published by IWP Press. The event, held September 20, was organized by Helle Dale, Deputy Director of the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies at Heritage. Dr. Waller gave a presentation about the book and its purpose, explaining that he … Read more

The American way of propaganda: Lessons from the founding fathers

by J. Michael Waller, Public Diplomacy and Political Warfare White Paper No. 1, The Institute of World Politics, 2006. This article is the first in a series of White Papers about the transformation of American public diplomacy and strategic communication. Introduction One of the most contentious debates in the war on terrorism centers on the “hearts … Read more