Difference between revisions of "Blowback"
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| − | '''Blowback''' is a term originating from within the American Intelligence apparatus, denoting the unintended consequences, unwanted side-effects, or suffered repercussions of a covert operation that fall back on those responsible for the aforementioned operations. The inspiration comes from nuclear explosions, where the radioactive dust might blow back on the wind to the sender. | + | '''Blowback''' is a term originating from within the [[American]] [[Intelligence]] apparatus, denoting the unintended consequences, unwanted side-effects, or suffered repercussions of a [[covert operation]] that fall back on those responsible for the aforementioned operations. The inspiration comes from nuclear explosions, where the [[radioactive]] dust might blow back on the wind to the sender. |
| − | To the civilians suffering the blowback of covert operations, the effect typically manifests itself as "random" acts of political violence without a discernible, direct cause; because the public—in whose name the intelligence agency acted—are unaware of the effected secret attacks that provoked revenge (counter-attack) against them.<ref>https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/blowback</ref> | + | To the civilians suffering the blowback of covert operations, the effect typically manifests itself as "random" acts of [[political]] violence without a discernible, direct cause; because the public—in whose name the [[intelligence agency]] acted—are unaware of the effected secret attacks that provoked revenge (counter-attack) against them.<ref>https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/blowback</ref> |
The concept was popularized by [[Chalmers Johnson]] and his book <i>Blowback: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire</i><ref>Blowback: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire, by Chalmers Johnson, ISBN 0-8050-6239-4</ref>. | The concept was popularized by [[Chalmers Johnson]] and his book <i>Blowback: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire</i><ref>Blowback: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire, by Chalmers Johnson, ISBN 0-8050-6239-4</ref>. | ||
==Problems with the term== | ==Problems with the term== | ||
| − | Originally, blowback was CIA internal coinage denoting the unintended, harmful consequences—to friendly populations and military forces — when a given weapon is used beyond its purpose as intended by the party supplying it. Examples include anti-Western religious figures (e.g. [[Osama bin Laden]]) who went from trusted ally in Afghanistan in the 1980s to supervillain number 1. | + | Originally, blowback was [[CIA]] internal coinage denoting the unintended, harmful consequences—to friendly populations and [[military]] forces — when a given [[weapon]] is used beyond its purpose as intended by the party supplying it. Examples include anti-Western [[religious]] figures (e.g. [[Osama bin Laden]]) who went from trusted ally in [[Afghanistan]] in the [[1980s]] to supervillain number 1. |
And here lies the rub, it ascribes to <i>incompetence</i> what might have been <i>done on purpose</i>, like a [[strategy of tension]]. The term gives a strong [[plausible deniability]] for actions that still are very much connected to intelligence plans, especially since "unintended, harmful consequences—to friendly populations" is something the CIA and others are perfectly willing to accept for a greater cause. | And here lies the rub, it ascribes to <i>incompetence</i> what might have been <i>done on purpose</i>, like a [[strategy of tension]]. The term gives a strong [[plausible deniability]] for actions that still are very much connected to intelligence plans, especially since "unintended, harmful consequences—to friendly populations" is something the CIA and others are perfectly willing to accept for a greater cause. | ||
Revision as of 11:36, 16 July 2020
 Blowback    | |
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Blowback is a term originating from within the American Intelligence apparatus, denoting the unintended consequences, unwanted side-effects, or suffered repercussions of a covert operation that fall back on those responsible for the aforementioned operations. The inspiration comes from nuclear explosions, where the radioactive dust might blow back on the wind to the sender.
To the civilians suffering the blowback of covert operations, the effect typically manifests itself as "random" acts of political violence without a discernible, direct cause; because the public—in whose name the intelligence agency acted—are unaware of the effected secret attacks that provoked revenge (counter-attack) against them.[1]
The concept was popularized by Chalmers Johnson and his book Blowback: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire[2].
Problems with the term
Originally, blowback was CIA internal coinage denoting the unintended, harmful consequences—to friendly populations and military forces — when a given weapon is used beyond its purpose as intended by the party supplying it. Examples include anti-Western religious figures (e.g. Osama bin Laden) who went from trusted ally in Afghanistan in the 1980s to supervillain number 1.
And here lies the rub, it ascribes to incompetence what might have been done on purpose, like a strategy of tension. The term gives a strong plausible deniability for actions that still are very much connected to intelligence plans, especially since "unintended, harmful consequences—to friendly populations" is something the CIA and others are perfectly willing to accept for a greater cause.
An example
| Page name | Description |
|---|---|
| 2015 European refugee crisis | Crisis in Europe over the escalating numbers of refugees from Middle-Eastern and North African countries. |
Related Document
| Title | Type | Publication date | Author(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Document:Abolish Terrorist Agencies | essay | 29 July 2019 | David Swanson | Swanson characterises Annie Jacobsen's Surprise Kill Vanish as an apology for intelligence agencies. He deconstructs their the official narratives of defending "democracy", claiming that they have "decades of engaging in and provoking terrorism". Citing blowback from their operations as major factors in the growth of the MICC and its climate paranoia and permanent war, he calls for an end to the intelligence agencies. |
References
- ↑ https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/blowback
- ↑ Blowback: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire, by Chalmers Johnson, ISBN 0-8050-6239-4
