18 April 2013

false flag

Covert military or paramilitary operations designed to deceive in such a way that the operations appear as though they are being carried out by other entities may be described as being carried out under a false flag or black flag. Operations carried out during peace-time by civilian organisations, as well as covert government agencies, may by extension be called false flag operations if they seek to hide the real organisation behind an operation.

The term originates from naval warfare in which a ship from one country would replace their national flag with the national flag of an enemy nation in order to fool enemy ships. Similarly, it has been used in land warfare. ‘False Flag’ activity in warfare are generally acceptable providing it is not perfidious (a form of deception in which one combatant promises to act in good faith with the intention of breaking that promise, e.g. raising a flag of surrender with the intention of attacking instead of surrendering).

Today’s aphorism

Since the wrestling and endurance
Give assurance
To the faint at bay with pain,
That no soul to strong endeavour
Yoked for ever,
Works against the tide in vain.

– Henry Kendall

On this day

18 April 1839 – birthday of Henry Kendall, Australian poet.