[Thread] FOIA’d documents show that the Pentagon worked closely with Hollywood, rewriting dozens of films and TV shows about the Afghan War to give them a more pro-war message, thus helping prolong the conflict.
My new @Mintpressnews investigation:
mintpressnews.com
My new @Mintpressnews investigation:
mintpressnews.com
E.G., in 'Lone Survivor' (2013), the Pentagon changed the central scene to delete parts where US soldiers argue that they should commit war crimes by killing Afghan kids & hiding their bodies.
This was a real event that actually happened. But it did not fit the wanted narrative.
This was a real event that actually happened. But it did not fit the wanted narrative.
The Pentagon often insists that they only work with film and TV companies to ensure the military is portrayed more accurately.
But internal documents prove that this is not true, and that they realize they are in the "reputation" management business.
But internal documents prove that this is not true, and that they realize they are in the "reputation" management business.
Phil Strub, the Pentagon's Hollywood liaison, drew up a list of all the changes he insisted they make.
Also note how he casually reveals that he often personally re-writes movie scripts himself.
('Goatherder scene' is where the SEALs consider killing the Afghan kids, btw).
Also note how he casually reveals that he often personally re-writes movie scripts himself.
('Goatherder scene' is where the SEALs consider killing the Afghan kids, btw).
In '12 Strong' (2018), the Army changed the [real] backstories of their troops' criminal pasts to ensure it was as relentlessly pro-war as possible.
Production didn't mind the interference. In fact, they sent the Army a thank you note for helping make the film so "badass".
Production didn't mind the interference. In fact, they sent the Army a thank you note for helping make the film so "badass".
![In '12 Strong' (2018), the Army changed the [real] backstories of their troops' criminal pasts to en...](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FAZ0Ud8VEA8B23c.jpg)
Charlie Wilson's War (2007) was originally highly critical of the US funding the Afghan mujahideen, and presented 9/11 as the logical outcome of such a policy.
In fact, the original final scene was Wilson watching 9/11 happen, underlying that point.
In fact, the original final scene was Wilson watching 9/11 happen, underlying that point.
Left pic: The final scene in the original script for Charlie Wilson's War.
Right pic: the final scene after the CIA got involved in production.
They changed it from suggesting he/CIA policy in Afghanistan was partly responsible for 9/11 to him getting a medal for bravery! 🤪
Right pic: the final scene after the CIA got involved in production.
They changed it from suggesting he/CIA policy in Afghanistan was partly responsible for 9/11 to him getting a medal for bravery! 🤪
The CIA, Pentagon etc. offer their bases/buildings as film sets, vehicles as props, soldiers as extras, etc. saving Hollywood millions.
But it comes at a price: complete editorial control, down to the last letter.
But it comes at a price: complete editorial control, down to the last letter.
Every word and image in govt-aided film & TV is carefully pored over, & changed if it is not relentlessly pro-military enough.
The result is that we are being bombarded with pro-war propaganda —and we don't even know it.
This propaganda was crucial in prolonging the Afghan War.
The result is that we are being bombarded with pro-war propaganda —and we don't even know it.
This propaganda was crucial in prolonging the Afghan War.
The scale of govt/military penetration of pop culture is huge.
e.g. in Dec. 2016, the OCPA West— 1 of 3 seperate regional Army media offices— was working on 63 seperate films & TV shows at once.
The Air Force, Navy, CIA, & FBI all have similar organizations doing the same stuff
e.g. in Dec. 2016, the OCPA West— 1 of 3 seperate regional Army media offices— was working on 63 seperate films & TV shows at once.
The Air Force, Navy, CIA, & FBI all have similar organizations doing the same stuff
Matthew Alford and @spyculture's research revealed that the Department of Defense has quietly collaborated on at least 814 movies and 1,133 separate TV shows, most of them in the last 20 years.
amazon.com
amazon.com
A key individual in all this is Phil Strub from the Pentagon.
His list of credits on IMDB is positively Spielbergian. He's worked on many of the biggest movies ever. He's one of the most powerful men in Hollywood.
But virtually no one knows his name.
imdb.com
His list of credits on IMDB is positively Spielbergian. He's worked on many of the biggest movies ever. He's one of the most powerful men in Hollywood.
But virtually no one knows his name.
imdb.com
There are plenty more examples of movies and TV shows altered by the Pentagon in the article. The bottom line is that military control over media/pop culture allowed the Afghan War to continue for years without scrutiny.
Check out the piece and share it.
mintpressnews.com
Check out the piece and share it.
mintpressnews.com
. @caitoz just wrote a big poem about this on her substack. Check it out here:
caitlinjohnstone.substack.com
caitlinjohnstone.substack.com
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