Jean MacKenzie I GlobalPost

KABUL, Afghanistan -- "You've all heard of strategic communications," said the high-ranking U.S. official, holding an off-the-record briefing for journalists in Kabul last month. "It used to be called 'psyops,' and before that, 'propaganda.' Well, the United States is about to unroll a major stratcom initiative. We cannot let men on motorcycles and flatbed trucks win the information war."

Welcome to the Battle for Afghan Hearts and Minds, where -- using the language of strategic...