Top 100 Toxic American Rhetorical Techniques used in American Foreign Policy
Chat GPT analyzes the rhetorical techniques that "critics" might consider "toxic"
This is a continuation of my research using AI to unmask rhetoric and systems.
Note: I realize this list is too long for many people. I plan to make a shorter, summarized version of this list. Many of the source links are also broken.
Chat GTP Prompt:
Q: What are some of the rhetorical techniques used by Americans in defense of American political, academic, and military action "overseas" or outside the country?
Please group all techniques by category and list definition first, then effect, then why its toxic, then two examples with website links, and then if it is toxic.
Categories:
A) Moral Justification & National Identity Framing
B) Threat Inflation & Fear Appeal
C) Language Manipulation & Euphemism
D) Historical Revision & Reputation Management
E) Domestic Manipulation & Public Relations Framing
F) Legal, Bureaucratic & Institutional Justifications
G) Perpetual War, Occupation & Militarism Normalization
H) Emotional Framing & Moral Distortiong & Moral Distortion
🔹 A) Moral Justification & National Identity Framing
1. American Exceptionalism
Definition: The belief that the U.S. is inherently different from and morally superior to other nations.
Effect: Justifies unilateral actions and dismisses international criticism.
Why It’s Toxic: Promotes double standards and imperial behavior under the guise of virtue.
Examples:
The Myth of American Exceptionalism – Foreign Affairs
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2011-10-01/myth-american-exceptionalismObama Defends American Exceptionalism – The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/apr/04/obama-europe-american-exceptionalism
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
2. Spreading Democracy
Definition: Claiming interventions are conducted to promote democracy abroad.
Effect: Frames military actions as liberating rather than aggressive.
Why It’s Toxic: Masks geopolitical goals and often undermines genuine democratic movements.
Examples:
Iraq War as Democracy Promotion – Council on Foreign Relations
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/iraq-warAfghanistan War Justified by Democratization – Brookings
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-u-s-in-afghanistan/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
3. Supporting Freedom
Definition: Vaguely invoking "freedom" to justify foreign policy decisions.
Effect: Elicits emotional support and suppresses dissent.
Why It’s Toxic: Oversimplifies complex conflicts and hinders honest debate.
Examples:
Bush's Freedom Agenda – U.S. Department of State
https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ei/wh/39591.htmReagan’s “Beacon of Freedom” Doctrine – Reagan Foundation
https://www.reaganfoundation.org/ronald-reagan/reagan-quotes-speeches/peace-through-strength/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
4. Good vs. Evil Framing
Definition: Casting conflicts in black-and-white moral terms of good versus evil.
Effect: Simplifies complex geopolitical issues and rallies unconditional support.
Why It’s Toxic: Demonizes opponents, legitimizes overreach, and obstructs diplomacy.
Examples:
Bush’s “Axis of Evil” Speech – NPR
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1791933Cold War Rhetoric – The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/04/the-return-of-the-evil-empire/583216/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
🔹 B) Threat Inflation & Fear Appeal
5. Imminent Threat Framing
Definition: Asserting that military action is necessary to prevent an urgent and looming danger.
Effect: Rallies public support swiftly and discourages scrutiny.
Why It’s Toxic: Often based on exaggerated or fabricated evidence.
Examples:
Weapons of Mass Destruction Claims – Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2004/08/11/wmd-claims/Iran Nuclear Threat Rhetoric – Arms Control Association
https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2021-06/features/iran-nuclear-program-what-we-know
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
6. Terrorism Justification
Definition: Invoking terrorism as a universal rationale for military interventions.
Effect: Links all adversaries to terrorism, often without clear evidence.
Why It’s Toxic: Oversimplifies motives and legitimizes broad surveillance and warfare.
Examples:
Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) – ACLU
https://www.aclu.org/news/national-security/authorization-for-use-of-military-force-aumfDrone Strikes in Yemen and Somalia – The Bureau of Investigative Journalism
https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/projects/drone-war
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
🔹 C) Language Manipulation & Euphemism
7. Collateral Damage
Definition: Euphemism for civilian deaths caused by military actions.
Effect: Makes lethal consequences sound abstract and acceptable.
Why It’s Toxic: Dehumanizes victims and deflects responsibility.
Examples:
U.S. Airstrikes in Syria – New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/18/us/airstrike-civilian-deaths.htmlDrone Warfare Language – Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-drones-rights-idUSBRE88K02P20120921
Toxicity: ✅ YesThe Washington Post+1Reuters+1
8. Surgical Strike
Definition: Describing bombing campaigns as clean and precise.
Effect: Suggests minimal civilian harm.
Why It’s Toxic: Masks real-world consequences and inaccurate targeting.
Examples:
“Surgical” Drone Strikes – The Intercept
https://theintercept.com/drone-papers/Kosovo Air Campaign Descriptions – Amnesty International
https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/eur700182000en.pdf
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
9. Neutralize the Target
Definition: Sanitizing language for killing or assassinating individuals.
Effect: Makes deadly force sound procedural.
Why It’s Toxic: Hides moral and legal consequences of extrajudicial killings.
Examples:
JSOC Assassination Program – The Intercept
https://theintercept.com/drone-papers/the-assassination-complex/U.S. Counterterrorism Language – Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-drones-rights-idUSBRE88K02P20120921
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
10. We’re Not as Bad as [Other Nation]
Definition: Deflecting criticism by comparing U.S. actions to worse behavior by adversaries.
Effect: Justifies wrongdoing via relative morality.
Why It’s Toxic: Undermines ethical standards and encourages impunity.
Examples:
American Whataboutism – Al Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2021/3/4/whataboutism-washington-styleFalse Moral Equivalence – The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/07/the-difference-between-us-and-them/565013/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
11. Preemptive Defense
Definition: Framing offensive military action as necessary to prevent a future attack.
Effect: Justifies first strikes and war without evidence of imminent harm.
Why It’s Toxic: Enables unjustified aggression and undermines international law.
Examples:
Bush Doctrine of Preemptive War – PBS
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/iraq/etc/doctrine.htmlIsrael’s Justifications for Strikes in Gaza – BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-63634270
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
12. Domino Theory
Definition: Asserting that if one country falls to an ideology, others will follow in a chain reaction.
Effect: Amplifies the urgency of intervention.
Why It’s Toxic: Promotes fear-based policies and oversimplifies political change.
Examples:
Vietnam War and Domino Theory – History.com
https://www.history.com/news/what-is-the-domino-theoryCold War Rhetoric – Britannica
https://www.britannica.com/topic/domino-theory
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
13. Existential Threat Framing
Definition: Claiming a policy or actor threatens the very existence of the nation or global order.
Effect: Escalates fear and justifies extreme measures.
Why It’s Toxic: Often unsupported by facts and used to silence opposition.
Examples:
Iran Framed as Existential Threat – Brookings
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/is-iran-an-existential-threat-to-israel/Terrorism as Existential Threat – RAND Corporation
https://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG739.html
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
14. Crisis Justification
Definition: Exploiting a real or manufactured crisis to expand military powers.
Effect: Pushes through aggressive policies without debate.
Why It’s Toxic: Abuses public fear and overrides democratic checks.
Examples:
Gulf of Tonkin Incident – U.S. Naval Institute
https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2008/august/truth-about-tonkinPost-9/11 Military Expansion – The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/09/post-911-foreign-policy-failure/620005/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
15. Enemy Within
Definition: Portraying domestic dissenters as sympathetic to foreign enemies.
Effect: Suppresses internal critique and justifies surveillance.
Why It’s Toxic: Encourages repression and violates civil liberties.
Examples:
McCarthyism and the Red Scare – History.com
https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/joseph-mccarthyPost-9/11 Muslim Surveillance – ACLU
https://www.aclu.org/issues/national-security/discriminatory-profiling/mapping-muslim-communities
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
16. Kinetic Action
Definition: Euphemism for violent military operations.
Effect: Sanitizes the concept of war and confuses the public.
Why It’s Toxic: Deceives the public and reduces scrutiny.
Examples:
“Kinetic Military Action” in Libya – CBS News
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/white-house-no-war-in-libya-just-kinetic-military-action/Kinetic Action in Pentagon Speak – Defense.gov
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/603741/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
17. Regime Change Framed as Liberation
Definition: Depicting the overthrow of governments as acts of freedom and democracy.
Effect: Rallies support for war while obscuring motives.
Why It’s Toxic: Hides imperial interests and destabilizing consequences.
Examples:
Iraq Invasion Framed as Liberation – CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/03/21/sprj.irq.main/Libya Campaign Language – NPR
https://www.npr.org/2011/03/28/134955403/obama-defends-libya-action-as-part-of-u-s-values
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
18. Nation-Building
Definition: Framing military occupation as developmental assistance.
Effect: Legitimizes long-term presence and funding.
Why It’s Toxic: Masks control and often fails to build functional governance.
Examples:
Afghanistan Reconstruction – USIP
https://www.usip.org/publications/2011/03/rebuilding-afghanistanIraq Nation-Building Costs – Congressional Budget Office
https://www.cbo.gov/publication/41649
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
19. Security Cooperation
Definition: Euphemism for military aid or intervention framed as partnership.
Effect: Recasts military presence as mutual assistance.
Why It’s Toxic: Obscures power imbalances and dependency creation.
Examples:Security Assistance to Africa – CSIS
https://www.csis.org/analysis/security-assistance-africaU.S. Security Cooperation Handbook – Defense Security Cooperation Agency
https://www.dsca.mil/resources/dsca-handbooks
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
20. Defensive Posture
Definition: Labeling offensive deployments or buildup as purely defensive.
Effect: Calms domestic audiences and blames escalation on others.
Why It’s Toxic: Encourages militarization under false pretenses.
Examples:
NATO Expansion Called Defensive – NATO
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_49285.htmUS Missile Defense Framed as Defensive – U.S. State Department
https://2009-2017.state.gov/t/avc/rls/147270.htm
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
21. Collapsing Civilian and Combatant
Definition: Using vague labels like "militant" or "insurgent" to obscure whether a killed individual was a civilian.
Effect: Obscures the human cost of military operations.
Why It’s Toxic: Dehumanizes victims and inflates claims of success.
Examples:
U.S. Counting All Military-Age Males as Combatants – New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/29/world/obama-order-spawns-secret-discipline-system-for-drone-strikes.htmlDrone Strike Casualty Reporting – Bureau of Investigative Journalism
https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2014-10-15/more-than-1000-killed-in-us-drone-strikes
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
22. “Surgical Precision” Framing
Definition: Portraying strikes as hyper-accurate to minimize perception of harm.
Effect: Builds public trust in military technology.
Why It’s Toxic: Often contradicted by reality; minimizes civilian casualties.
Examples:
Obama Drone Policy – The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/01/obama-us-drone-strikes-deathsIsraeli Airstrikes in Gaza Called “Precise” – Human Rights Watch
https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/05/27/israelgaza-apparent-war-crimes-during-may-fighting
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
23. “Decapitation Strike” Rhetoric
Definition: Framing assassination of leaders as the removal of a threat, not an act of war.
Effect: Makes extrajudicial killings sound strategic and necessary.
Why It’s Toxic: Normalizes state-led assassinations without due process.
Examples:
Killing of Qasem Soleimani – BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50979463Yemen Airstrikes on Leadership Targets – The Intercept
https://theintercept.com/2016/10/05/yemen-civil-war-us-saudi-airstrikes/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
24. “Taking Out” Language
Definition: Euphemism for killing targets, especially through airstrikes or drones.
Effect: Sanitizes lethal force, making it sound clinical.
Why It’s Toxic: Dehumanizes death and avoids grappling with consequences.
Examples:
Airstrike Language on ISIS Leaders – CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2015/12/28/middleeast/iraq-isis-leaders-killed/index.htmlPentagon Statements on Drone Operations – Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-security-drones-idUSKBN0U01DR20151228
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
25. “Light Footprint” Warfare
Definition: Describing special operations, advisors, and drones as less invasive than full-scale war.
Effect: Minimizes the appearance of conflict escalation.
Why It’s Toxic: Obscures risks, deaths, and unintended consequences.
Examples:
Obama’s “Light Footprint” Doctrine – The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/14/world/africa/obamas-light-footprint-on-african-warfare.htmlJSOC Raids in Yemen and Somalia – The Nation
https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/us-shadow-wars-yemen-and-somalia/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
🔹 D) Historical Revision & Reputation Management
26. Targeted Killing
Definition: Sanitized term for extrajudicial assassination of individuals by the state.
Effect: Makes deliberate killings sound lawful and restrained.
Why It’s Toxic: Evades accountability and bypasses judicial oversight.
Examples:
Obama’s Drone Strike Policy – New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/02/us/politics/obama-drone-strikes.htmlCIA Targeted Killings – Human Rights Watch
https://www.hrw.org/news/2011/12/19/us-targeted-killings-violating-law
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
27. Mission Creep
Definition: Gradual expansion of a military mission beyond its original goals without clear public debate.
Effect: Enables open-ended intervention without accountability.
Why It’s Toxic: Conceals true scope and cost of involvement.
Examples:
Mission Creep in Syria – NPR
https://www.npr.org/2020/10/21/925931429/the-u-s-mission-in-syria-is-a-recipe-for-mission-creepAfghanistan War Expansion – Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-troops-afghanistan/2021/08/15/05eec4f6-fd27-11eb-a664-4f6de3e17ff0_story.html
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
28. Non-Lethal Force
Definition: Term used to describe tools or tactics that still cause harm, often severe.
Effect: Minimizes public concern over violent tactics.
Why It’s Toxic: Misleads about injuries or effects on civilians.
Examples:
Use of Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets – NYT
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/02/us/police-tactics-protests.htmlPentagon Testing Non-Lethal Weapons – Wired
https://www.wired.com/2010/03/nonlethal-weapons/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
29. Boots on the Ground Denial
Definition: Claiming there will be no ground troops involved in a conflict while deploying special forces or advisors.
Effect: Misleads public and avoids backlash over escalation.
Why It’s Toxic: Undermines trust and disguises active war roles.
Examples:
Obama’s Troop Deployment in Iraq – Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-usa-idUSKBN0GZ0XU20140813Special Forces in Syria – Politico
https://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/us-boots-on-ground-syria-215513
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
30. Sovereignty Waiver
Definition: Overriding a nation’s sovereignty for “greater good” claims like humanitarian or counterterror missions.
Effect: Frames intervention as justifiable override of local control.
Why It’s Toxic: Normalizes disregard for international law and local autonomy.
Examples:
Kosovo War and Bypassing UN Approval – NATO
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_48818.htmSyria Airstrikes Without Consent – BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29525591
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
31. Retconning Motives
Definition: Changing the original justification for war after the fact to match new political narratives.
Effect: Avoids accountability for failed or dishonest rationales.
Why It’s Toxic: Rewrites history to maintain credibility and suppress critique.
Examples:
Shift from WMDs to Freedom in Iraq – PBS Frontline
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/truth/Vietnam War Retrospectives – National Archives
https://www.archives.gov/research/vietnam-war
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
32. Sanitizing Past Atrocities
Definition: Downplaying or reframing historical acts of violence as necessary or misunderstood.
Effect: Preserves institutional reputation and patriotic myths.
Why It’s Toxic: Prevents reckoning and allows harmful patterns to repeat.
Examples:
Reframing Hiroshima Bombing – Smithsonian Magazine
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-we-dropped-the-atomic-bomb-atomic-bomb-hiroshima-nagasaki-atomicbomb-atomicbombing-atomicbombjapan-atomicbombwar-atomicbombwwii-atomicbombamerica-atomicbombcoldwar-atomicbombsovietunion-atomicbombus-atomicbombtruman-atomicbombjapantruman-atomicbombendwar-atomicbombpeace-atomicbombweapons-atomicbombs-atomicbombdiplomacy-atomicbombdebate-180964503/US Role in Latin America – The Intercept
https://theintercept.com/2019/09/29/us-intervention-latin-america-history/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
33. “Mistakes Were Made” Framing
Definition: Passive-voice phrasing used to avoid naming responsibility for errors or harm.
Effect: Evades accountability while appearing to acknowledge failure.
Why It’s Toxic: Shields leaders and institutions from real consequences.
Examples:
Iraq Intelligence Failures – The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/jul/09/iraq.usaVietnam Missteps Admission – NPR
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103181773
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
34. “The Past is Past” Deflection
Definition: Arguing that historical injustices should be forgotten or ignored.
Effect: Blocks accountability and prevents systemic learning.
Why It’s Toxic: Preserves harmful myths and hinders reform.
Examples:
US Role in Chilean Coup Downplayed – The Nation
https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/chile-coup-september-11/Slavery and Colonialism in Textbooks – The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/03/how-textbooks-teach-white-supremacy/388118/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
35. “We Meant Well” Excuse
Definition: Asserting good intentions to excuse harmful outcomes.
Effect: Frames failure as noble effort rather than flawed policy.
Why It’s Toxic: Centers the intervener’s perspective and dismisses those harmed.
Examples:
Iraq War Legacy – The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/03/iraq-10-years-later/273915/Vietnam Reframed as Noble Misstep – Foreign Affairs
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/vietnam/1995-01-01/rethinking-vietnam
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
36. “Learning the Lessons” Deflection
Definition: Claiming to have learned from past failures without implementing structural change.
Effect: Creates the illusion of progress while preserving harmful policies.
Why It’s Toxic: Repeats cycles of harm under new justifications.
Examples:
Top U.S. Generals Reflect on Afghanistan – NPR
https://www.npr.org/2021/08/30/1032562812/top-u-s-generals-discuss-afghanistan-war-lessonsLearning from Vietnam – Foreign Affairs
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/review-essay/2021-03-30/learning-lessons-vietnam
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
37. Legacy Framing
Definition: Portraying interventions in terms of historical significance or future judgment.
Effect: Deflects attention from present harms and emphasizes future outcomes.
Why It’s Toxic: Justifies present violence by appealing to vague long-term goals.
Examples:
Bush on Iraq’s Legacy – CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/01/bush.iraq.legacy/Afghanistan and U.S. Legacy – Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/08/30/afghanistan-withdrawal-us-legacy/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
38. “We Were Misled” Excuse
Definition: Claiming policy failures were due to bad intelligence or being deceived.
Effect: Displaces blame onto agencies or foreign actors.
Why It’s Toxic: Allows leaders to escape responsibility for their decisions.
Examples:
WMD Intelligence and Iraq – The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/jul/09/iraq.usaAfghanistan Papers Reveal Deceptions – Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/investigations/afghanistan-papers/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
39. “We Did Our Best” Appeal
Definition: Invoking maximum effort or goodwill as a defense against criticism.
Effect: Shields decision-makers from being held to account for outcomes.
Why It’s Toxic: Centers the actor’s intent instead of affected communities’ reality.
Examples:
Lessons from Afghanistan – PBS NewsHour
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/lessons-from-the-u-s-war-in-afghanistanPost-Iraq Reflections – Brookings
https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/the-u-s-effort-to-rebuild-iraq/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
40. Obfuscating Chain of Command
Definition: Creating confusion over who was ultimately responsible for bad decisions.
Effect: Makes it difficult to pursue justice or reform.
Why It’s Toxic: Protects leadership while lower-level individuals take the fall.
Examples:
Abu Ghraib and Command Responsibility – The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2005/05/the-abuses-of-abuse/303845/CIA Torture and Lack of Prosecution – ProPublica
https://www.propublica.org/article/cia-torture-report-key-findings
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
🔹 E) Domestic Manipulation & Public Relations Framing
41. Supporting the Troops as Deflection
Definition: Framing criticism of military policy as an attack on service members.
Effect: Suppresses dissent by emotional manipulation.
Why It’s Toxic: Uses soldiers as human shields for political decisions.
Examples:
NFL Protests and Troop Deflection – New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/24/sports/nfl-trump-anthems.html2003 Iraq War Critics Called Unpatriotic – CBS News
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dixie-chicks-feel-pain-of-their-anti-bush-comments/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
42. False Bipartisanship
Definition: Claiming broad political consensus as a way to shut down debate.
Effect: Frames criticism as fringe or illegitimate.
Why It’s Toxic: Masks real divisions and suppresses alternatives.
Examples:
Congressional Approval of Iraq War – NPR
https://www.npr.org/2019/03/20/704519502/16-years-later-why-did-the-u-s-invade-iraqBipartisanship on Defense Budgets – Politico
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/07/14/bipartisan-defense-spending-00045579
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
43. Hero Worship
Definition: Elevating generals, soldiers, or presidents to mythic status to stifle dissent.
Effect: Creates reverence that discourages critical engagement.
Why It’s Toxic: Promotes militarism and silences accountability.
Examples:
Media Glorification of General Petraeus – Rolling Stone
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/the-runaway-general-192236/Cult of Military Leadership – The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2010/06/the-petraeus-cult/59117/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
44. Flag-Waving Patriotism
Definition: Using national symbols and pride to mute criticism.
Effect: Frames dissent as anti-American.
Why It’s Toxic: Equates loyalty with compliance and excludes critics.
Examples:
Use of Flags During Gulf War – TIME Magazine
https://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,972187,00.htmlCritics of Iraq War Called Unpatriotic – The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/mar/19/iraq.usa7
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
45. Manufactured Consent
Definition: Creating the illusion of public support through controlled media, think tanks, and polling.
Effect: Justifies actions with claims of democratic approval.
Why It’s Toxic: Distorts reality and shuts down alternative narratives.
Examples:
Chomsky’s “Manufacturing Consent” – Media Lens
https://www.medialens.org/index.php/alerts/alert-archive/2001/51-manufacturing-consent.htmlMedia Coverage Pre-Iraq Invasion – FAIR
https://fair.org/extra/the-iraq-war-and-the-media/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
46. “There Is No Alternative” (TINA)
Definition: Framing a chosen military or policy action as the only viable option.
Effect: Dismisses diplomacy or dissent as naive or dangerous.
Why It’s Toxic: Narrows public imagination and silences debate.
Examples:
Iraq War Framed as Unavoidable – Brookings
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-iraq-war-ten-years-after/Obama’s Afghanistan Troop Surge – NYT
https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/world/asia/29policy.html
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
47. Respect the Process
Definition: Invoking bureaucratic procedures to avoid addressing ethical questions.
Effect: Shifts focus from substance to form.
Why It’s Toxic: Obscures injustice by hiding behind protocol.
Examples:
CIA Torture Investigations and Process Defense – The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/09/cia-torture-report-senate-investigationAccountability Post-Afghanistan Papers – NPR
https://www.npr.org/2021/08/19/1029481196/afghanistan-papers-lessons
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
48. It’s Too Complicated
Definition: Claiming a conflict or policy is too complex for public understanding.
Effect: Disempowers citizens and limits oversight.
Why It’s Toxic: Discourages transparency and shields policymakers from scrutiny.
Examples:
Middle East Policy Framed as Inaccessible – Foreign Policy
https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/05/10/the-middle-east-isnt-that-complicated/Syria Conflict Complexity – BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-26116868
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
49. Focus on the Troops, Not the Policy
Definition: Encouraging praise for soldiers while avoiding criticism of war itself.
Effect: Shields policy from debate.
Why It’s Toxic: Exploits patriotism to deter dissent.
Examples:
Criticism of Iraq War Framed as Anti-Troop – CBS News
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dixie-chicks-feel-pain-of-their-anti-bush-comments/NFL Protests Recast as Anti-Soldier – CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/25/us/nfl-kneeling-protests/index.html
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
50. What About the Good We Did?
Definition: Highlighting isolated positive impacts to distract from widespread harm.
Effect: Reframes criticism as ungrateful or unfair.
Why It’s Toxic: Undermines honest appraisal of costs and failures.
Examples:
Iraq Reconstruction Narratives – U.S. Institute of Peace
https://www.usip.org/publications/2007/07/reconstruction-iraq-learning-lessonsAfghanistan School and Road Projects – USAID
https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/fact-sheets/afghanistan-education
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
🔹 F) Legal, Bureaucratic & Institutional Justifications
51. Legal Cover Story
Definition: Using law or legal language to justify ethically questionable actions.
Effect: Provides a façade of legitimacy.
Why It’s Toxic: Obscures moral consequences behind technicalities.
Examples:
AUMF and Drone Strikes – ACLU
https://www.aclu.org/news/national-security/authorization-for-use-of-military-force-aumfGuantánamo Legal Limbo – NYT
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/04/us/politics/guantanamo-bay-biden.html
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
52. Rule-of-Law Shielding
Definition: Invoking international law selectively to justify or condemn actions.
Effect: Creates appearance of consistency and righteousness.
Why It’s Toxic: Undermines international norms through double standards.
Examples:
Syria Strike Legal Justification – BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39523654UN Charter Text and U.S. Interpretations – United Nations
https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter/full-text
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
53. Just War Language
Definition: Framing violence as morally necessary by applying historical just war criteria.
Effect: Gives ethical cover to aggressive policies.
Why It’s Toxic: Subjective application encourages hypocrisy.
Examples:
Iraq War Framed as Just – Foreign Policy
https://foreignpolicy.com/2003/03/24/the-just-war-case-for-the-iraq-invasion/WWII Analogies Used in Contemporary Policy – The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/02/wwii-lessons/470643/
Toxicity: ⚠️ Often
54. Strategic Ignorance
Definition: Claiming not to know the consequences or full extent of harm.
Effect: Avoids responsibility while continuing harmful policies.
Why It’s Toxic: Prevents accountability and reform.
Examples:
The Assassination Complex – The Intercept
https://theintercept.com/2015/10/15/the-assassination-complex/Civilian Deaths in Fallujah – BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30602157
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
55. Academic Capture
Definition: Aligning academic institutions with military or intelligence interests.
Effect: Skews research and limits critical debate.
Why It’s Toxic: Undermines academic independence and legitimizes militarism.
Examples:
Defense-Funded Think Tanks – NYT
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/09/us/politics/think-tanks-pentagon-military-contractors.htmlMiddle East Studies Scrutinized – Inside Higher Ed
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/09/20/education-department-questions-mideast-center-over-its-programming
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
56. Use of Think Tanks as Neutral Experts
Definition: Promoting views from defense-funded think tanks as objective analysis.
Effect: Manufactures consent by masking partisan interests.
Why It’s Toxic: Misleads the public and concentrates influence in elite networks.
Examples:
Defense Industry Influence – NYT
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/09/us/politics/think-tanks-pentagon-military-contractors.htmlWar and Think Tanks – The Intercept
https://theintercept.com/2015/08/12/war-and-think-tanks/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
57. Procedural Defense
Definition: Citing procedural correctness to avoid moral or legal judgment.
Effect: Shifts debate to technicalities.
Why It’s Toxic: Avoids confronting underlying injustices.
Examples:
Guantánamo Trial Delays – Human Rights Watch
https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/01/11/us-20-years-guantanamo-unjustifiableCIA Legal Memos on Torture – NPR
https://www.npr.org/2009/04/16/103149441/obama-releases-cia-torture-memos
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
58. Bureaucratic Diffusion of Responsibility
Definition: Structuring organizations so no one person is clearly accountable.
Effect: Hides culpability and stalls reform.
Why It’s Toxic: Shields decision-makers and obstructs justice.
Examples:
Abu Ghraib and Chain of Command – The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2005/05/the-abuses-of-abuse/303845/CIA Torture Chain of Command – ProPublica
https://www.propublica.org/article/cia-torture-report-key-findings
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
59. Contractor Distance Framing
Definition: Outsourcing controversial tasks to private firms to distance official accountability.
Effect: Creates legal and ethical ambiguity.
Why It’s Toxic: Facilitates abuse while avoiding state responsibility.
Examples:
Blackwater Shootings in Iraq – The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/22/blackwater-guards-guilty-iraqContractor Roles in U.S. Warzones – NPR
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/23/949421511/private-contractors-took-part-in-u-s-wars-theyre-coming-home-to-a-void
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
60. Intelligence Vagueness Defense
Definition: Claiming classified or incomplete intelligence to justify action or avoid scrutiny.
Effect: Prevents public challenge and limits transparency.
Why It’s Toxic: Justifies serious harm with no verifiable evidence.
Examples:
Justification for Iraq Invasion – CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/03/07/sprj.irq.transcript.powell.un/Trump’s Soleimani Assassination Rationale – Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-usa-idUSKBN1Z21E5
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
🔹 G) Perpetual War, Occupation & Militarism Normalization
61. Defense Spending as “Investment in Peace”
Definition: Framing massive military budgets as contributions to global stability.
Effect: Justifies ever-increasing defense budgets.
Why It’s Toxic: Misleads public on actual outcomes of militarization.
Examples:
FY2023 Defense Budget Summary – White House
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/budget_fy2023.pdfPentagon Budget Messaging – Defense.gov
https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/3016243/statement-on-fy-2023-defense-budget-request/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
62. “Security Partnership” Justification
Definition: Labeling military aid or occupation as collaborative assistance.
Effect: Masks dependency and power asymmetry.
Why It’s Toxic: Normalizes militarized relationships as benign.
Examples:
Security Assistance to Africa – CSIS
https://www.csis.org/analysis/security-assistance-africaU.S. Military Partnerships in Middle East – Brookings
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-new-u-s-security-partnerships-in-the-middle-east/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
63. Preventive War
Definition: Going to war to stop a potential future threat.
Effect: Enables offensive action without imminent danger.
Why It’s Toxic: Undermines global legal standards for use of force.
Examples:
Bush Doctrine – PBS Frontline
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/iraq/etc/doctrine.htmlIran Strike Discussions – Foreign Policy
https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/01/08/iran-trump-soleimani-assassination-preemptive-war/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
64. Peace Through Strength
Definition: Claiming that military dominance ensures peace.
Effect: Normalizes arms races and global intimidation.
Why It’s Toxic: Prioritizes force over diplomacy.
Examples:
Reagan’s Peace Through Strength Doctrine – Reagan Foundation
https://www.reaganfoundation.org/ronald-reagan/reagan-quotes-speeches/peace-through-strength/Modern Reuse Under Trump Admin – CNBC
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/04/peace-through-strength-trumps-budget-request.html
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
65. Strategic Deterrence Framing
Definition: Presenting military escalation as necessary to prevent war.
Effect: Justifies arms buildup and forward deployments.
Why It’s Toxic: Encourages hostile posturing and fear cycles.
Examples:
U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy – CSIS
https://www.csis.org/programs/asia-program/asia-defense-deterrence-projectNATO Troop Presence – NATO
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_136388.htm
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
66. Mission Accomplished Messaging
Definition: Prematurely declaring victory while conflict continues.
Effect: Shapes narrative while avoiding scrutiny.
Why It’s Toxic: Misleads the public and stalls pressure for withdrawal.
Examples:
Bush’s Aircraft Carrier Speech – CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/05/01/bush.carrier.landing/Afghanistan Withdrawal Framed as Success – Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-military-mission-afghanistan-ends-2021-08-30/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
67. Endless Operation Renaming
Definition: Rebranding long-term wars as new “operations” to refresh public support.
Effect: Reduces visibility of prolonged conflict.
Why It’s Toxic: Disguises failures and resets accountability.
Examples:
From Operation Iraqi Freedom to New Dawn – CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/09/01/iraq.withdrawal/index.htmlOperation Enduring Freedom to Inherent Resolve – CENTCOM
https://www.centcom.mil/OPERATIONS-AND-EXERCISES/OPERATION-INHERENT-RESOLVE/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
68. Non-Combat Troop Framing
Definition: Labeling deployed forces as advisors or trainers rather than combatants.
Effect: Downplays active engagement and danger.
Why It’s Toxic: Misleads the public and reduces debate over war powers.
Examples:
Special Forces in Syria Framed as Non-Combat – Politico
https://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/us-boots-on-ground-syria-215513U.S. Advisors in Iraq – Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-usa-idUSKBN0GZ0XU20140813
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
69. U.S. Bases as Stabilizers
Definition: Claiming overseas military bases promote peace and deter conflict.
Effect: Normalizes global military presence.
Why It’s Toxic: Disguises empire and often provokes resistance.
Examples:
Japan Base Controversy – NPR
https://www.npr.org/2015/05/29/410782234/why-are-u-s-troops-stationed-abroadU.S. AFRICOM Expansion – The Intercept
https://theintercept.com/2019/12/01/africa-us-military-africom/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
70. Permanent War as Stability
Definition: Framing long-term, low-visibility military operations as necessary for global order.
Effect: Normalizes endless warfare while muting public concern.
Why It’s Toxic: Erodes democratic accountability and institutionalizes conflict.
Examples:
America’s Forever War – The Nation
https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/americas-forever-war/The Drone Papers – The Intercept
https://theintercept.com/drone-papers/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
71. Peacekeeping Rebrand
Definition: Labeling coercive military occupation or intervention as peacekeeping.
Effect: Makes force seem humanitarian.
Why It’s Toxic: Conceals violence and legitimizes foreign control.
Examples:
MINUSTAH Peacekeeping Mission in Haiti – CFR
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/minustah-haitis-un-peacekeeping-missionUN Mission in Kosovo – UN
https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/unmik
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
72. Light Footprint Warfare ** (duplicate #25)
Definition: Describing drone warfare, JSOC operations, or surveillance as less invasive alternatives to war.
Effect: Sanitizes war by minimizing troop visibility.
Why It’s Toxic: Hides harm and suppresses debate on accountability.
Examples:
Obama’s Drone Strategy – NYT
https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/14/world/africa/obamas-light-footprint-on-african-warfare.htmlJSOC and the New Normal – The Nation
https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/us-shadow-wars-yemen-and-somalia/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
73. Just Infrastructure
Definition: Presenting bases, airstrips, and ports as neutral infrastructure rather than instruments of power.
Effect: Normalizes military entrenchment.
Why It’s Toxic: Obscures imperial footprint and invites blowback.
Examples:
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Base Map – The Intercept
https://theintercept.com/2015/11/17/us-military-operating-secret-african-airfield/Guam and Strategic Infrastructure – War on the Rocks
https://warontherocks.com/2021/10/why-guam-is-indispensable-to-u-s-strategy-in-the-pacific/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
74. Training the Locals
Definition: Framing military presence as advisory or educational.
Effect: Makes occupation look cooperative.
Why It’s Toxic: Conceals dependency and softens perception of control.
Examples:
U.S. Mission in Syria – Politico
https://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/us-boots-on-ground-syria-215513NATO Training in Iraq – NATO
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_114201.htm
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
75. Stabilization as Strategy
Definition: Rebranding occupation and regime support as acts of stabilization.
Effect: Frames control as conflict prevention.
Why It’s Toxic: Justifies interference and suppresses sovereignty.
Examples:
Stabilization Operations in Afghanistan – USAID
https://www.usaid.gov/afghanistan/stabilizationU.S. Stabilization Doctrine – U.S. Army War College
https://press.armywarcollege.edu/monographs/742/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
🔹 H) Emotional Framing & Moral Distortion
76. War as Sacrifice Framing
Definition: Glorifying war by highlighting personal sacrifice rather than policy rationale.
Effect: Shifts focus from criticism to honor.
Why It’s Toxic: Romanticizes violence and suppresses dissent.
Examples:
Memorial Day as Readiness – Defense.gov
https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/2607199/honoring-memorial-day-sacrifice-readiness/Gold Star Families in Political Rhetoric – NPR
https://www.npr.org/2020/11/11/933640340/military-and-politics
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
77. Only We Can Fix It
Definition: Suggesting that U.S. intervention is the only hope for a region or people.
Effect: Centralizes control and undercuts local agency.
Why It’s Toxic: Justifies paternalism and monopolizes global problem-solving.
Examples:
U.S. Role in Haiti – Council on Foreign Relations
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/haiti-crisisU.S. Framing in Kosovo – Brookings
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/kosovo-and-the-question-of-us-leadership/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
78. War Will Bring Peace
Definition: Arguing that violence is necessary to establish peace.
Effect: Reframes aggression as a moral tool.
Why It’s Toxic: Enables endless war cycles and discourages diplomacy.
Examples:
Gulf War Justifications – History.com
https://www.history.com/topics/middle-east/persian-gulf-warNATO Bombing Yugoslavia for Peace – BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18275023
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
79. Dissent Equals Disloyalty
Definition: Framing critique of policy as anti-American or pro-enemy.
Effect: Silences democratic dissent.
Why It’s Toxic: Threatens free speech and punishes political disagreement.
Examples:
“With Us or Against Us” – CNN
https://edition.cnn.com/2001/US/11/06/gen.attack.on.terror/Iraq War Protesters Labeled Unpatriotic – The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/03/the-legacy-of-the-anti-war-movement/274116/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
80. Noble Intent Fallacy
Definition: Justifying failure by appealing to good intentions.
Effect: Excuses bad outcomes by claiming moral goals.
Why It’s Toxic: Avoids consequence-based evaluation and repeats failed logic.
Examples:
Iraq War Retrospective – The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/03/iraq-10-years-later/273915/Vietnam Framed as Tragic Mistake – PBS
https://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/index.html
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
81. Moral Relativism When Convenient
Definition: Justifying misconduct by comparing it to worse behavior from others.
Effect: Deflects criticism and lowers moral standards.
Why It’s Toxic: Encourages hypocrisy and reduces accountability.
Examples:
CIA Torture Justified by “Worse Elsewhere” – Senate Intelligence Committee
https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/sites/default/files/publications/CRPT-113srpt288.pdfTrump Defends Saudi Relationship – CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/28/politics/trump-saudi-arms-deals-analysis/index.html
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
82. Dehumanization of the Enemy
Definition: Describing adversaries as less than human to justify violence.
Effect: Suppresses empathy and normalizes brutality.
Why It’s Toxic: Enables war crimes and collective punishment.
Examples:
Vietnam War Propaganda – PBS
https://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/guide/War on Terror Rhetoric – Al Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2021/8/28/how-dehumanising-rhetoric-leads-to-war-crimes
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
83. Technological Superiority Equals Morality
Definition: Equating advanced weaponry with ethical warfare.
Effect: Paints power as precision and morality.
Why It’s Toxic: Disguises destruction as sophistication.
Examples:
Smart Bombs and “Clean” War – CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2016/01/15/middleeast/gulf-war-fast-facts/index.htmlAI in Warfare – Brookings
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/ai-and-warfare/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
84. “Precision and Restraint” Language
Definition: Framing military operations as narrowly focused and controlled.
Effect: Downplays civilian casualties and destruction.
Why It’s Toxic: Masks real-world consequences and delays reform.
Examples:
Obama’s Drone Strike Standards – NYT
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/02/us/politics/obama-drone-strikes.htmlIsraeli Airstrikes Framed as Precise – Human Rights Watch
https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/05/27/israelgaza-apparent-war-crimes-during-may-fighting
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
85. Humanitarian Intervention
Definition: Using human rights claims to justify military force.
Effect: Secures public support by appealing to moral duty.
Why It’s Toxic: Masks strategic motives and can cause further harm.
Examples:
Libya Intervention Justified as Humanitarian – Foreign Affairs
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/libya/2011-05-12/humanitarian-warSomalia Framed as Relief Mission – PBS Frontline
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/ambush/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
86. “Helping the Locals” Framing
Definition: Recasting foreign intervention as charitable assistance.
Effect: Minimizes public concern over violence and coercion.
Why It’s Toxic: Obscures strategic objectives and sidelines local voices.
Examples:
USAID Programs in Afghanistan – USAID
https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/fact-sheets/afghanistan-educationSomalia Intervention Framed as Relief – PBS
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/ambush/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
87. Militarization of Aid
Definition: Blending humanitarian aid with military operations.
Effect: Undermines neutrality of relief and enables surveillance.
Why It’s Toxic: Endangers aid workers and erodes trust.
Examples:
USAID and Cuba Covert Operations – AP News
https://apnews.com/article/3f9219f691274b9f994d1e0b8e7c9941U.S. Military Ebola Response – Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-ebola-usa/u-s-troops-deployed-to-combat-ebola-idUSKCN0HW1HE20141003
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
88. Co-opting Feminism (“Saving Women”)
Definition: Using women’s rights to justify military intervention.
Effect: Wins liberal support while obscuring coercion.
Why It’s Toxic: Exploits feminist ideals for imperial goals.
Examples:
Afghan Women and Occupation – The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/17/afghan-women-feminism-occupationGender and War – Foreign Affairs
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/afghanistan/2010-05-01/gender-and-war
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
89. Civil Society Support as Regime Change
Definition: Funding NGOs and civil groups as proxies to undermine opposing regimes.
Effect: Promotes intervention under the guise of democracy-building.
Why It’s Toxic: Jeopardizes legitimate local movements and sovereignty.
Examples:
USAID Role in Ukraine – USAID
https://www.usaid.gov/ukraineU.S. Support for Syrian Rebels – Al Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2014/9/11/us-to-arm-syrias-moderate-rebels
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
90. Economic Warfare as Peacekeeping
Definition: Framing sanctions and blockades as nonviolent means to maintain order.
Effect: Portrays coercive tools as benevolent alternatives.
Why It’s Toxic: Causes mass suffering while avoiding political backlash.
Examples:
Sanctions on Iraq Pre-Invasion – The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/mar/07/iraq1U.S. Sanctions on Venezuela – Human Rights Watch
https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/08/09/us-sanctions-venezuela-deepen-humanitarian-crisis
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
91. Economic Development via Force
Definition: Arguing that military presence fosters stability needed for investment and growth.
Effect: Links war with prosperity.
Why It’s Toxic: Turns violence into a development model.
Examples:
Iraq Economic Development and U.S. Presence – CSIS
https://www.csis.org/analysis/economic-reconstruction-iraqAfghanistan and Economic Opportunity – Brookings
https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/economic-growth-in-afghanistan/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
92. “We’re Just Following Orders” Defense
Definition: Lower-ranking actors deny moral responsibility by citing superior directives.
Effect: Blocks prosecution and encourages compliance culture.
Why It’s Toxic: Fails to uphold ethical standards or individual conscience.
Examples:
Abu Ghraib Soldier Defenses – The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2005/05/the-abuses-of-abuse/303845/Nuremberg Trials and Modern Precedent – US Holocaust Memorial Museum
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/nuremberg-trials
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
93. “Rogue Actor” Excuse
Definition: Blaming isolated individuals instead of systemic problems.
Effect: Contains scandals and avoids institutional reform.
Why It’s Toxic: Protects structures that enable abuse.
Examples:
Blackwater Contractors Convicted – The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/22/blackwater-guards-guilty-iraqCIA Torture Pinpointed to Few – ProPublica
https://www.propublica.org/article/cia-torture-report-key-findings
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
94. “We’ll Investigate Ourselves” Assurance
Definition: Promising internal reviews to delay or block independent scrutiny.
Effect: Temporarily defuses outrage.
Why It’s Toxic: Rarely results in meaningful accountability.
Examples:
Pentagon Investigations of Drone Strikes – The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/dec/03/us-drone-strike-kabul-investigationMilitary Probes into Civilian Deaths – NYT
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/18/us/airstrike-civilian-deaths.html
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
95. National Security Override
Definition: Dismissing public or legal concerns in the name of national defense.
Effect: Blocks transparency and accountability.
Why It’s Toxic: Enables overreach and authoritarianism.
Examples:
NSA Surveillance Programs – ACLU
https://www.aclu.org/issues/national-security/privacy-and-surveillance/nsa-surveillanceDOJ Secrecy in Torture Cases – The Intercept
https://theintercept.com/2019/08/01/cia-torture-lawsuit-state-secrets/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
96. Procedural Paralysis
Definition: Citing red tape or legal complexity as reason for inaction.
Effect: Avoids reform without outright denial.
Why It’s Toxic: Creates illusion of constraint while enabling continuation.
Examples:
Gitmo Closure Obstacles – NPR
https://www.npr.org/2016/01/12/462726632/obama-s-final-push-to-close-guantanamo-faces-familiar-obstaclesMilitary Accountability Delays – Human Rights Watch
https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/03/30/why-no-us-official-has-been-held-accountable-afghanistan-war
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
97. Security Theater
Definition: Implementing visible but ineffective measures to reassure the public.
Effect: Boosts confidence without real security.
Why It’s Toxic: Wastes resources and masks policy failure.
Examples:
TSA Airport Measures – The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/11/security-theater/416859/“See Something, Say Something” – DHS
https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
98. Threat Inflation for Budget Expansion
Definition: Exaggerating risks to justify larger military or intelligence budgets.
Effect: Drives spending and fear cycles.
Why It’s Toxic: Distorts public priorities and promotes militarism.
Examples:
China Threat Hype – Responsible Statecraft
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/03/21/the-pentagon-china-threat-inflation/Russia Threat in NATO Messaging – NATO
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_172351.htm
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
99. Coerced Coalition Framing
Definition: Calling international support “coalition building” even when coerced.
Effect: Legitimizes unilateral actions as multilateral.
Why It’s Toxic: Masks arm-twisting diplomacy and pressure tactics.
Examples:
Coalition of the Willing – Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2003/03/20/coalition-of-the-willing/41a9c16b-cf95-4d77-953d-d80ae3c1c44c/UN Members Pressured on Iraq – BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2846365.stm
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
100. “We’re Already There” Justification
Definition: Claiming withdrawal is impossible because of existing commitments.
Effect: Makes further entrenchment seem inevitable.
Why It’s Toxic: Turns presence into rationale, avoiding exit strategies.
Examples:
Afghanistan Exit Debates – NYT
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/16/us/afghanistan-exit-arguments.htmlU.S. Forces Remaining in Syria – Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-forces-syria-continue-support-partners-2021-10-04/
Toxicity: ✅ Yes
Download:
Excel Spreadsheet: US-Foreign-Policy-Top-100-Rhetorical-Techniques.xlsx
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West Losing Propaganda War
AI is a powerful tool for Propagandists
See how easy it is to create AI Propaganda for the Houthis
Chat GPT analyzes the rhetorical techniques that "critics" might consider "toxic"
Puttin' on the RITZ, Song (Remixed)
This song is based on AI-assisted research and a prior article I wrote about a larger phenomenon of bad actors shielding their impunity with counter accusations
Monster Mash: Military Industrial Complex Song
The term “MICIMATT” was coined by Ray McGovern, a former CIA analyst who prepared the Presidential Daily Brief, before retiring and becoming a Peace Activist. (website)