The order appears in a cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and distributed to the U.S. diplomatic network. The document, to which The Guardian has had access, establishes a framework for action to respond to what Washington considers coordinated disinformation campaigns affecting its interests abroad.
The instruction affects embassies and consulates worldwide.
Coordination with psychological operations of the Pentagon
The cable contemplates direct collaboration with psychological operations units of the Department of Defense. These units, known as Military Information Support Operations, are part of the Pentagon's structure and are specialized in the dissemination of messages in strategic contexts.
The document proposes integrating these resources into diplomatic action.
Five defined objectives for the embassies
The strategy sets five lines of action for diplomatic personnel:
- Counter messages considered hostile
- Expand access to information
- Expose activities of adversarial actors
- Support local voices aligned with U.S. interests
- Disseminate what the document calls “the U.S. story”
For this, it is proposed to work with local profiles, such as academics or community leaders, with the aim that the messages have a more local and adapted character to each country.
Use of X as a tool to combat disinformation
The cable expressly mentions the social network X, owned by Elon Musk. In particular, highlights its Community Notes system as an “innovative” instrument to detect and counteract false information without compromising freedom of expression.
The reference to this platform occurs in a context in which the European Union has imposed economic sanctions on the company and maintains open investigations into its operation.
International context: war and information competition
The measure comes at a time of high international tension. The United States maintains an open conflict with Iran, while the influence operations of Russia and China remain active in different regions.
The cable indicates that these campaigns seek to weaken alliances, influence public opinion, and affect American economic and political interests.
A change in the way of acting of the diplomatic apparatus
The document reflects an evolution in U.S. strategy. Traditionally, public diplomacy and military operations have operated in differentiated spheres. The directive proposes greater integration between both. It also introduces a more active approach to the use of social media and the generation of content aimed at local audiences.
Another of the included indications is to increase the visibility of international aid financed by the United States. The cable asks that the actions be clearly identified as coming from the U.S. Government through visual and communication elements.
Thus, the network of cultural centers and spaces funded by the United States in different countries must strengthen its role as access points to international information. The objective is to expand the availability of content in different languages in contexts where access to independent information is limited.