Open Influence Ops, AoT#489

Open Influence Ops, AoT#489

From The Age of Transitions by Aaron Franz

March 16, 2026 · 59 min · Episode 489

About this episode

The episode discusses the evolution of warfare in the Middle East, focusing on the integration of technology and influence operations in modern conflicts.

The new holy war in the Middle East is the same old war in the Middle East, but it has had a tech upgrade. Cyber capabilities and global influence operations now rest neatly in the center of this, and all other wars moving forward. Topics include: new streaming graphics, Iran War, through line from War on Terror to present, post-9/11 America, compartmentalized history with presidential administrations, Israel Bible study propaganda in US, Evangelical voter base a defect propaganda target, generic use of esoteric religious terminology and iconography, US troops told they are bringing about return of Jesus and Armageddon, Pete Segeth insane crusader warrior ethos, past US sponsored regime changes in Iran, Cyber now central aspect of all war, digital surveillance and data-driven targeting, influence ops now admitted to more freely to public, Global Propaganda Matrix, possible cyber false flags, Vance the preferable guy to put in place by tech oligarch MAGA political sponsors, failing US empire, becoming Tank Man

People in this episode

Host: Aaron Franz

Topics covered

  • Middle East conflict
  • cyber warfare
  • influence operations
  • post-9/11 America
  • propaganda
  • US military
  • digital surveillance

Keywords

  • cyber capabilities
  • global influence operations
  • propaganda
  • US troops
  • digital targeting
  • regime changes
  • Evangelical voter base
  • false flags

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: US, Iran, Israel, MAGA

Places: Middle East, US, Iran

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