"The Defense Department is considering
issuing a secret directive to the American military to
conduct covert operations aimed at influencing public
opinion and policy makers in friendly and neutral
countries, senior Pentagon and administration officials
say. ... Some are troubled by suggestions that the military might
pay journalists to write stories favorable to American
policies or hire outside contractors without obvious ties
to the Pentagon to organize rallies in support of American
policies. ... Those who oppose the military's taking on the job of
managing perceptions of America in allied states say it
more naturally falls to diplomats and civilians, or even
uniformed public affairs specialists. They say that secret
operations, if deemed warranted by the president, should be
carried out by American intelligence agencies."