Israel's Latest PSYOPS Get REVEALED

In this segment of The Young Turks, hosts Ana Kasparian and Trita Parsi discuss recent intelligence reports indicating that Israel has ramped up surveillance activities targeting high-ranking U.S. officials.

Key Takeaways from the Video:

• Escalating Intelligence Threats: According to reports from the New York Times and NBC News cited in the video, the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has raised the counterintelligence threat level posed by Israel from "high" to "critical" (3:05 - 3:22). This is the highest level of threat classification, which analysts characterize as "unhinged" (0:29).
• Targets of Espionage: Reported surveillance targets include top U.S. officials such as Steve Witco, Elbridge Colby, and Michael Deino (1:15 - 1:26). The alleged intelligence collection is tied to efforts to gain insight into U.S. strategy regarding peace talks and potential military conflicts with Iran (6:16 - 6:42).
• Tactical Incidents: The video highlights specific instances of concern, including a 2021 incident where IDF officers were discovered attempting to plant listening devices at the Defense Intelligence Agency headquarters, as well as attempts to bug a Secret Service vehicle (2:34 - 3:04, 7:52 - 8:00).
• PR and Propaganda Efforts: The hosts also discuss reports that the Israeli government has contracted Pyro Inc.—a firm led by Hollywood producers Daniel Rosenberg and Tim Piper—to manage a digital communications program aimed at rehabilitating Israel's public image (9:52 - 10:30). The segment notes that this is part of a broader, long-standing pattern of utilizing firms like Havas Media to influence public opinion through tourism campaigns, social media, and coordinated messaging (11:15 - 13:00).

Context and Analysis:

The hosts express strong criticism regarding these activities, particularly given the extensive military and financial support the U.S. provides to Israel. They argue that these espionage and propaganda efforts undermine the diplomatic relationship between the two nations, despite ongoing military cooperation in the Middle East.