GOOD STRATEGY

Tag: deception

  • IT’S POLITICS: Understanding Hasbara: Israel’s Narrative Control Tactics

    IT’S POLITICS: Understanding Hasbara: Israel’s Narrative Control Tactics

    Sir Afilonius Rex

    Madrid, 18th December 2025

    What is Hasbara?

    Hasbara, a Hebrew term meaning “explanation,” refers to Israel’s public diplomacy and propaganda efforts. These efforts aim at shaping international opinion in favour of its policies. This is particularly true regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It transcends mere PR. It functions as a strategic tool to control narratives, delegitimise critics, and portray Israel as a perpetual victim. It justifies its actions, including occupation and military operations. Government entities like the former Ministry of Strategic Affairs coordinate hasbara. It involves state funding. Volunteer networks and partnerships disseminate pro-Israel messages globally.

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  • IT’S POLITICS: Debunking the Myth of Socialist Failures

    IT’S POLITICS: Debunking the Myth of Socialist Failures

    Sir Afilonius Rex and Vanessa Bell

    Bloomsbury, London, 8th November 2025

    Calling Bullshit on Fakery

    A LinkedIn post by Thorsten Wunde (or “WundeThorsten”) shared a viral anecdote claiming to illustrate why “socialism always fails.” The story presents an economics professor in Sweden. He fails an entire class after averaging the grades to simulate socialist equality. This action leads to widespread laziness and eventual collapse. It concludes with a moral: When half the population realises they can slack off, the nation is in danger. The other half sees no reward for effort. This marks the end of every nation. This tale aims to serve as compelling evidence of socialism’s inherent flaws. However, it is deeply problematic on several levels. It is factually, logically, and empirically flawed. It’s a classic example of a fabricated parable. It is dressed up as real-world evidence. This story has been circulating online since at least 2009. It appears as chain emails and memes, often tied to U.S. politics (e.g., “Obama’s socialism”). Below, we’ll break it down systematically.

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