MIND CONTROL

Pentagon Jams Taliban Radio

Blocks 150 illegal FM stations in PR war.

Until now, the Taliban has controlled radio waves and chat rooms in Pakistan, broadcasting intimidating messages and threats to residents. But not anymore: The Pentagon is stepping in and jamming radio stations and Web sites to keep the Taliban’s message from getting out. The 150 illegal FM radio stations the Taliban used to read lists of people it was going to behead are now being blocked by American military personnel. In addition to cutting off the Taliban’s message, this "psychological operation" marks an attempt to control how the United States is perceived in Pakistan. Said one senior U.S. official: "The Taliban aren't just winning the information war—we're not even putting up that much of a fight. We need to make it harder for them to keep telling the population that they're in control and can strike at any time."