May 26, 2007
by Steve Hammons

PSYOP, OSINT efforts should tackle repression of romance

In the struggle against terrorism, religious extremism and in dealing with challenges around the world, there are many strategies and tactics available.

These include so-called "hard power" options such as bullets and bombs as well as "soft power" such as persuasion, education and psychological operations (PSYOP).

Dr. Walid Phares, a professor of Middle East studies and senior fellow with the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, wrote an interesting article titled "Valentine's Day Enrages Jihadists."

Phares noted that, "the terrorists are not intimidated by death, but they are terrorized by love."

He explained that puritanical religious extremists in the world are trying to repress the natural and healthy inclination for women and men to be attracted to one another, and to yearn for and directly experience romantic love.

"Love is the strongest human force fighting against terrorism and jihad," Phares wrote.

He explained that during a recent Valentine's Day, some puritanical Islamic leaders preached that love is evil. "Love is forbidden, love is infidel."

Phares said that in an online chat room, puritanical "scholars" said, "Al Hub" (basic love) is not permissible outside commitment to Jihad."

VIEWS OF ROMANTIC LOVE

However, not all citizens in the Muslim world agree with this view.

In Iran, for example, many people are reportedly striving for freedom and normalcy. Not just political freedom, but personal lifestyle freedom. The oppressive puritanical mullahs who try to run the country are facing some resistance. Iranians are yearning for normal, healthy lives.

This situation is ripe for PSYOP and open source intelligence (OSINT) endeavors.

This is not to say that American and western culture has all the answers when it comes to morality and healthy human behavior. There are obviously many problems in our own media and the cultural elements we are often exposed to.

Yet, maybe there are positive things we can share about how we are trying to transcend our own puritanical history and human behavior problems associated with it.

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Many citizens in many countries and cultures may see that as far as their puritanical religious extremist leaders, "the emperor has no clothes."

In the Muslim world, many people may not accept the view of the religious extremists that Phares wrote about in his article.

Phares quotes one puritanical religious leader a saying, "This Valentine Day is a dark day, it is poison, but by the will of Allah, when the Caliphate will be established, Valentine will be smashed."

Phares wrote, "Valentine's is ravaging the region, including under the most restrictive regimes. They are right to worry: The battle for love is as wide as the call for jihad. The revolution is rising. The ?love guerrillas' are spreading on the street and on the internet."

Not just in Iran either. Phares notes, "In liberated Afghanistan, transistor radios air love songs. In Iran, boys and girls have waged the revolt of kissing in public. Tracked by the militia, the teenagers perform the kiss-and-run tactic."

Phares continued, "In Kuwait, tactics are evolving. In this oil-rich state, young Arabs buy two cell phones, and as they see the beloved driving by, they throw one of the mobiles in her car; then the telephonic romance can begin."

"Love warfare has become the boldest threat that can roll back jihad. On the internet, Arab, Persian, Kurdish, Aramaic, and other love and music chat rooms attract ten times the al-Ansar-crowded rooms. There, you read and hear discussions of love; they seek, not decadence, but the early stages of a romantic revolution," according to Phares.

COMMUNICATING ABOUT LOVE

Although some of the media is firmly managed in many nations, there are media platforms that can get past the government censors. People can still access cultural, social and psychological OSINT.

Films can be confiscated and forbidden to be shown in public theatres, radio can be jammed, the Web can be restricted, satellite TV dishes can be made illegal.

But still, ways can be found to reach people yearning to experience "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Efforts should be increased to provide well-balanced materials such as books and films that educate people about healthy relations between the genders, romantic love and similar aspects of family, community and human life.

PSYOP experts now need to "think outside the box." New technology allows video streaming of films through the Internet. Books can be introduced in various ways. We could help provide appropriate OSINT for the peoples of many societies.

Phares wrote, "The followers of love have no weapon except human nature; it is the only one they need."

His view on this can be applied to the entire human race.

And maybe some healthy PSYOP and OSINT can provide all of us with new tools and understanding to throw off the oppression of our human spirit, minds, bodies and hearts.

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Steve Hammons [send him email] has worked as a journalist, editor, counselor, juvenile probation peace officer, public safety urgent-response specialist, teacher, instructor and US Government researcher. He graduated from Ohio University with studies in communications/journalism, health education/psychology and pre-law. Hammons's two novels, Mission into Light and Light's Hand, tell the story of a US joint-service military and intelligence research team investigating emerging special topics. Visit the novels' home page at: www.navyseals.com/community/members/ohio52