The Information State Isn’t Going Away

On March 30, The Guardian reported on a US State Department cable that directed embassies and consulates worldwide to “launch coordinated campaigns against foreign propaganda.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio recommended teaming up with “the Department of War’s Psychological Operations” unit and making use of Elon Musk’s X, which he described as an “innovative” tool that could assist with “countering anti-American propaganda.” The context for this missive, the article noted, was the war with Iran, as well as ongoing tensions with China and Russia.