Cyber-warfare in Iraq already has broken out
Thom Shanker and Eric Schmitt/NYT NYT
Monday, February 24, 2003
WASHINGTON In the most ambitious effort of its kind, the American military is already at war with Iraq, but it is a conflict being fought with electrons and words in advance of any order by President George W. Bush to loose bullets and bombs. American cyber-warfare experts recently made an e-mail assault against Iraq's political, military and economic leadership, urging them to break with the regime. A second wave of messages has gone to private cell phone numbers of specially selected officials. More than eight million leaflets have been dropped over Iraq, including towns 100 kilometers south of Baghdad, warning Iraqi anti-aircraft missile operators that their bunkers will be destroyed if they track or fire at allied warplanes. A similar blunt notice has gone to Iraqi ground troops: Surrender, and live. Radio transmitters hauled aloft by Air Force Special Operations EC-130E planes are broadcasting directly to the Iraqi public in Arabic with programs that, by mimicking the styles of local radio stations, are generations advanced from the clumsy preachings of previous wartime propaganda efforts. "Do not let Saddam tarnish the reputation of soldiers any longer," said a recent broadcast. "Saddam uses the military to persecute those who don't agree with his unjust agenda. Make the decision."
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