The U.S. Marine Corps, which has long recognized the importance of influencing the civilian population in a counterinsurgency (COIN) environment, asked the RAND National Defense Research Institute to evaluate the effectiveness of U.S. military (USMIL) information operations (IO) and psychological operations (PSYOP) in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2010 based on how well messages and themes are tailored to target audiences. This monograph responds to that request. It should be emphasized that this report does not cover the significant changes in IO and PSYOP definitions, doctrine, organization, and implementation in the field that have taken place since 2010. When the text refers to the present, or the current situation, it generally means 2010.

Introduction: Definition and objectives of psychological operations in Afghanistan. -- Methodology for assessing the effectiveness of U.S. military psychological operations. -- Main themes and messages and their effectiveness. -- A review of the means of dissemination in psychological operations. -- Effectiveness in countering Taliban propaganda. -- Organizational problems affecting information operations and psychological operations. -- New initiatives being implemented to improve psychological operations. -- Recommendations for improving the effectiveness of psychological operations. -- Appendixes. -- Bibliography.