Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Did a vampire legend help win the Cold War?
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Jan 14, 2026 During the Cold War, a vampire legend named Aswang was weaponized by the CIA to instill fear in locals and prevent support for communists. The podcast delves into Edward Lansdale's psychological tactics, including eerie low-flying broadcasts and gruesome staged killings to spread terror. The Aswang myth, steeped in local culture, was strategically exploited to manipulate public sentiment. While the tactic temporarily disrupted Huk fighters, the broader conflict continued, highlighting the complex interplay of folklore and warfare.
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Nature Of The Aswang
- The Aswang is a widespread Philippine folkloric creature that blends vampire and flesh-eating traits across regions.
- It targets pregnant women, unborn children, and can appear as animals or humanoids, explaining deep cultural fear.
Lansdale's Psyops Background
- Edward Geary Lansdale was a CIA officer who specialized in psyops and used cultural research to influence populations.
- He applied advertising techniques to wartime propaganda, digging into local beliefs rather than just dropping leaflets.
Cultural Psyops Over Generic Propaganda
- Lansdale prioritized exploiting local superstitions as a psyops tactic rather than generic demoralization efforts.
- He researched Filipino beliefs to craft operations that would resonate culturally and intimidate civilians.