The Effect of Psychological Operation in Weakening Enemy's Morale

Techniques of psychological operation have been used to defeat enemy''s will، weaken its morale and facilitate the victory long ago. But today، by using new methods and technologies، psychological operation became more important. Now، without psychological effects، war has no meaning anymore. Modern arms enjoy destructive power but، in confrontation with the high morale، its efficiency will be reduced. As Iraq''s imposed war against Iran and Zionist regime''s 33-day war against Hizbullah showed، even the most modern arms will be defeated against strong will and morale. So، for gaining victory against the enemy، its morale and will must be weakened firstly، then war should be done. In addition to take the resistance away from the enemy، this action will cause decrease in losses and facilitate the victory. In this research، background، importance and strategic depth of war morale، the role of in national power and sovereignty، effective factors on the defensive morale، stages of psychological operation and weakening military morale and methods used by the United States to morale of the army in Iraq has been studied.