Washington, D.C. – The United States has instructed its embassies and consulates worldwide to launch coordinated campaigns aimed at countering foreign propaganda and what it describes as growing hostility toward American interests.
The directive, outlined in a diplomatic cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and obtained by international media, calls for a broad and strategic response to disinformation campaigns allegedly driven by rival nations.
Key developments:
- US embassies worldwide ordered to launch anti-propaganda campaigns
- Diplomatic missions to counter narratives from Iran, Russia, and China
- Coordination with Pentagon psychological operations (MISO) authorized
- Elon Musk's X platform endorsed for its Community Notes feature
- 700+ "American Spaces" to become hubs for free expression
- US aid programs to feature prominent American branding
Global Strategy Against Disinformation
The cable lays out a comprehensive framework for diplomatic missions, urging them to actively counter narratives perceived as harmful to US interests. These include campaigns attributed to countries such as Iran, Russia, and China, which Washington claims are attempting to influence global opinion and destabilize alliances.
Embassies are instructed to focus on five major objectives:
- Counter hostile messaging
- Expand access to reliable information
- Expose adversarial activities
- Amplify local voices aligned with US values
- Promote a positive narrative about the United States
Use of Local Voices and Influencers
Diplomatic offices are encouraged to engage local influencers, academics, and community leaders to spread counter-narratives. This approach aims to make messaging appear more organic and locally driven rather than centrally controlled by the US government.
The cable emphasizes that foreign propaganda efforts are designed to shift blame onto the United States, create divisions among allies, and challenge democratic values and economic interests.
Coordination with Military Psychological Operations
In a notable move, the directive advises embassies to collaborate with the Pentagon's Military Information Support Operations (MISO), commonly known as psychological operations. This marks a rare instance of overlap between public diplomacy and military information strategies.
While the US has previously funded anti-disinformation initiatives, such as the Global Engagement Center, recent restructuring has seen several programs discontinued or defunded.
Role of Digital Platforms and Elon Musk's X
The cable highlights the role of digital platforms in combating misinformation, specifically endorsing Elon Musk's platform X. Its Community Notes feature is described as an innovative, crowdsourced tool that can address false information without compromising free speech.
This endorsement comes despite ongoing scrutiny of the platform in Europe, where regulators have fined X and launched investigations into its practices and algorithms.
Expanding Information Access Worldwide
Embassies are also tasked with increasing the availability of international news and independent analysis in local languages, particularly in regions where information is restricted or heavily influenced by anti-American narratives.
More than 700 American cultural centers worldwide, known as "American Spaces," will be repositioned as hubs for free expression and uncensored information.
Visible Branding of US Assistance
The directive further instructs diplomatic missions to clearly brand US-funded aid and programs. Embassies are encouraged to use prominent visual identifiers to ensure foreign audiences recognize American contributions.
Geopolitical Context
The initiative comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, including ongoing conflict involving Iran and continued influence operations linked to Russia and China. US officials argue that these campaigns pose a direct threat to national security and global democratic values.
