TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China could learn from the Iran conflict and Ukraine war to target Americans with propaganda during a Taiwan Strait crisis, retired US Lieutenant General Samuel Clinton Hinote warned, SCMP reported Friday.
Hinote said Beijing was likely watching how propaganda and disinformation are being used in recent conflicts. He said China could use similar tactics if a conflict broke out over Taiwan.
Speaking at a Washington discussion hosted by the Special Competitive Studies Project, Hinote said Iran’s propaganda since the conflict began in February showed the power of information warfare. He warned the US public may not be ready for a similar wave of disinformation during a Taiwan crisis.
Hinote said false or misleading claims could spread quickly and make it harder for people to know what is true. He said a Taiwan Strait conflict would not only be fought on land, at sea, or in the air, but also over facts, public trust, and public opinion.
