One of the fastest evolving and most fascinating aspects of modern-day conflict is the role the new media technologies assume.

As noted in the post on HonestReporting, the Internet has become a new theatre and the IDF is adjusting accordingly:

New IDF unit to fight enemies on Facebook, Twitter

The Israel Defense Forces Spokesman’s Office is to begin drafting computer experts with an eye toward establishing an Internet and new media department unit, Army Spokesman Brig. Gen. Avi Benayahu said Monday.

The new unit, as well as an initiative by the Information and Diaspora Ministry to train people to represent Israel independently on the Internet and in other arenas, were presented Monday at the conference during a panel discussion on Israeli public relations abroad.

Responding to criticism of Israel’s ability to face hostile entities on the Web, Benayahu said the new program would be able to deal with the problem. He said that from each group drafted to the Army Spokesman’s Office, between eight to 10 young people who are experts in Web 2.0 – YouTube, Facebook and Twitter – to be identified before induction, would be assigned to the new department.

The Spokesman’s Office has also contacted bloggers who are known as opinion-makers and sent them information and pictures directly.[Source]

Propaganda – its potency is rarely underestimated.