War is no longer just about bombs and rockets!
War is not just about bombs and rockets! This has been true for centuries and even more today when social media are invaded by armed force for propaganda purposes.
The Israeli military’s live spin about the air strike that killed the Hamas leader is the perfect illustration on how damaging words and social media can possibly be. Twitter, which is known more for giving a voice to protesters and civilians than military spokespeople became the Israeli tool by excellence to publicize and justify their action.
Tweets from the official Israel Defense Forces Twitter Account, announced in real-time an attack on Gaza and reported on its aftermath. “The IDF has begun a widespread campaign on terror sites & operatives in the #Gaza Strip, chief among them #Hamas & Islamic Jihad targets.” Said their feed on Wednesday.
The IDF just started a new trend and, I do not see how any social media like Facebook or Twitter can stop it. From now on, all future armed conflicts will include live updates from official military sources as armies, from both side, will try to spin the public opinion in their favor in real-time.
This will not be called propaganda; this will be called information. After all, if all the entire social and political activist groups are doing it, if the politicians are doing it, why not the militaries. My only hope resides in the fact that people will have enough judgment to differentiate reality from fiction.
But again, this may well be only wishful thinking.
JMD
J. Michael Dennis ll.l., ll.m. Live 
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