The Road to the Iraq War | 3. Mushroom Clouds
Slow Burn
Manipulation of Perceptions Shapes Policy
Media narratives influenced public opinion, leading a majority to believe that Saddam Hussein was linked to the 9/11 attacks, despite internal dissent from the CIA. The administration shifted focus to Saddam's alleged weapons of mass destruction (WMD) as the primary justification for war, capitalizing on the intelligence community's eventual agreement on this point after intense pressure. This shift highlights how strategic framing and manipulation of perceptions can significantly shape policy decisions and public consensus.
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