Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Israel-Hamas
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Grand strategy / From panic to policy: The limits of foreign propaganda and the foundations of an effective response
Grand strategy

March 30, 2024

From panic to policy: The limits of foreign propaganda and the foundations of an effective response

By Gavin Wilde

American leaders and scholars have long feared the prospect that hostile foreign powers could subvert democracy by spreading false, misleading, and inflammatory information by using various media. Drawing on both historical experience and empirical literature, this article argues that such fears may be both misplaced and misguided. The relationship between people’s attitudes and their media consumption remains murky, at best, despite technological advances promising to decode or manipulate it. This limitation extends to foreign foes as well. Policymakers therefore risk becoming pessimistic toward the public and distracted from the domestic, real-world drivers of their confidence in democratic institutions. Policy interventions may also prove detrimental to democratic values like free expression and to the norms that the United States aims to foster in the information environment.

Read at Texas National Security Review

Author

Gavin
Wilde

Non-Resident Fellow

Defense Priorities

The Latest

op-edNATO, Europe and Eurasia

Trump has a new European target in his crosshairs

By Daniel DePetris

October 17, 2025

Press ReleaseVenezuela, Americas

Pushing regime change in Venezuela is a terrible idea

By Jennifer Kavanagh

October 17, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, NATO, Russia, Ukraine

President Donald Trump’s Ukraine pivot is an opportunity for Europe to step up

By Christopher McCallion

October 16, 2025

ExplainerChina‑Taiwan, Asia, China, Taiwan

Target Taiwan: One China and cross-strait stability

By Lyle Goldstein

October 16, 2025

ExplainerChina‑Taiwan, Asia, China, Taiwan

Target Taiwan: Limits of allied support

By Lyle Goldstein

October 16, 2025

ExplainerChina‑Taiwan, Asia, China, Taiwan

Target Taiwan: Challenges for a U.S. intervention

By Lyle Goldstein

October 16, 2025

Events on Grand strategy

See All Events
virtualGreat power competition, Balance of power, China, Grand strategy, Middle East

U.S.-China competition and the value of Middle East influence

June 10, 2025
virtualChina, Alliances, Balance of power, Diplomacy, Grand strategy, Russia

China-Russia: Cooperation or a no-limits alliance?

April 3, 2025
virtualSyria, Balance of power, Basing and force posture, Counterterrorism, Middle East, Military analysis

Syria after Assad: Prospects for U.S. withdrawal

February 21, 2025

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved