Re-Reading the Case of Media Warfare in Iraq: The United States and Media Rapid Reaction Team

This paper seeks to briefly study the importance of mass media in Middle Eastern countries, particularly in Iraq, during occupation and the U.S. Department of Defense's project called 'Media Rapid Reaction Team'. The team was intended to adopt pre-decided actions for further controlling the situation and disseminating the idea of 'weak democracy' in the occupied countries. The idea of weak democracy, which is promoted through seemingly independent media in U.S. dominated countries, is aimed at forging a kind of polyarchy in their political systems, more consistent with the interests and objectives of transnational capitalists. Finally, Alhurra television network and Sowt radio are examined as examples of independent media in Iraq