In the run-up to the November midterm elections, the National Republican Congressional Committee launched a $2.1 million campaign to make it appear as if Democrats were spamming callers with telemarketing calls. The GOP’s “robo-call” operation harassed thousands of voters and represented the worst our political system has to offer.
So, naturally, it’s being exported to Baghdad.
Nir Rosen reported today on the latest Iraq “psy-ops campaign,” which includes the Republicans’ favorite domestic communications gimmick.
A mysterious psychological operations campaign is underway in Iraq, with Muqtada al Sadr’s Mahdi Army as its target. In recent days, Baghdad residents report receiving phone calls that caller ID show to be originating from outside Iraq. When the phone is answered, the listener hears a recorded message from an anonymous man speaking formal Arabic. He condemns the Mahdi Army and describes how it destroys Iraqi infrastructure, including electricity.
Baghdad residents are afraid to discuss details of the message over phone lines, believing them to be monitored. But an IraqSlogger source tells us the unnerving message left at least one Baghdad woman in tears. Who is responsible for these calls? We’d love to know.
Hmm, “formal” Arabic, calls from outside Iraq, an administration-supported line … you don’t suppose those robo-calls are originating from the United States, do you?
As Paul Kiel asked, “Who says we’re not spreading democracy in Iraq?”