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Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
UFOs are at risk of going 'down the paranormal rabbit hole', expert warns - as bombshell report reveals Pentagon planted myths
UFOs are at risk of 'going down the paranormal rabbit hole', an expert has warned in wake of a bombshell report by the Wall Street Journal. The report revealed that UFO conspiracies were fuelled by the Pentagon in a bid to conceal a classified weapons programme. According to the 2024 US Department of Defense (DOD) review, the government conducted a deliberate disinformation campaign during the Cold War era, going so far as to distribute fake photos of flying saucers to residents. Following the release of the report, Nick Pope, who worked on the MoD's UFO desk for three years from 1991, claims that some UFO investigators are introducing 'too much religiosity' into their theories. In a post on X, Mr Pope wrote: 'The subject of UAP has gone from fringe to mainstream. ' Congress is engaged. 'We risk losing this if we go down the paranormal rabbit hole, or introduce too much religiosity or spirituality into the narrative. 'Let's keep the focus on defense, national security and safety of flight.' Over the last few years, there has been growing interest at the highest levels of US politics in the topic of UFOs and UFO sightings. Members of Congress, largely coming from the Republican Party, have formed a caucus to examine what they call 'unidentified anomalous phenomena' or 'UAPs'. In 2023, this c ulminated in a major congressional hearing in which former US officials testified to the existence of a secret UFO recovery programme. David Grusch, who led the analysis of UAP within a US defence agency, claimed that the government had taken possession of alien craft and 'biologics'. However, UFOs' growing credibility now risks taking a serious blow as it emerges that a number of UFO theories might have been deliberately started by the Pentagon itself. The new claims of a secret weapons cover-up come from a report by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) - a congressional task force within the DOD created to investigate persistent rumours of secret government projects involving alien technology. Sean Kirkpatrick, the first director of the AARO, was appointed by the government in 2022 to investigate and make sense of the countless UFO theories swirling through public and military channels. Investigating UFO reports dating back to 1945, AARO discovered several cases where high-ranking military officials deliberately misled the public and their colleagues. Mr Kirkpatrick told the Wall Street Journal he had met a number of former Air Force members who claimed to have been briefed on a project called 'Yankee Blue'. For decades, some newly recruited officers were given a picture which appeared to show a flying saucer and were told that they were part of a programme called Yankee Blue which was responsible for reverse-engineering the technology. However, the picture was a fake and there was such a reverse-engineering programme. Instead, Yankee Blue appears to have been a bizarre hazing ritual or loyalty test for new recruits into the Air Force. And even decades later, news that Yankee Blue was fake stunned the now-retired servicemen. It was not until 2023 did the defence secretary's office sent a memo out across the service ordering the practice to stop immediately. Kirkpatrick told then President's director of national intelligence, Avril Haines, who was also stunned. Haines was said to have pressed the issue, questioning how the hazing could have carried on without being stopped. The official responded: 'Ma'am, we know it went on for decades. We are talking about hundreds and hundreds of people. These men signed NDAs. They thought it was real.' As these reports rattle many UFO believers, Mr Pope insists that it is key for those in favour of UFO disclosure to 'push narratives that compete with the religious/spiritual one'. Mr Pope wrote: 'Let's keep the focus on defense, national security and safety of flight.' His comments come in response to a growing number of UFO supporters who argue that aliens are actually angels or other supernatural creatures. For example, Luis Elizondo, one of the leading UFO whistleblowers and disclosure advocates, has claimed that he psychically transformed into an angel to scare terrorists as part of a secret Pentagon programme. Yet despite the Wall Street Journal's revelations and Mr Pope's appeal to stick to the facts, many UFO believers have only entrenched themselves deeper in conspiracy theories. Speaking on the Good Trouble Show podcast, Mr Elizondo said: 'The absurdity of the WSJ article is not only a disingenuous piece, it appears to be well orchestrated with the usual players in the DoD [Department of Defence].' Likewise, commenters on the popular r/UFO Reddit page shared their belief that the WSJ investigation must be another conspiracy. Experts say that conspiracy theories are 'sticky', meaning that believers cannot give them up easily even when faced with contradictory evidence One commenter wrote: 'The fact they are claiming this is totally absurd but it's important to see why they are doing it. WSJ is being fed this info from Pentagon sources. Why? What is their angle?' However, psychologists say that this reaction to the sudden release of new information is normal for conspiracy theorists. Dr Daniel Jolley, an expert on the psychology of conspiracy theories from the University of Nottingham, told MailOnline: 'Conspiracy beliefs can be very 'sticky' because they're often tied to people's identity and worldview. 'When someone invests in a conspiracy belief, it becomes part of how they make sense of the world and themselves. New evidence that contradicts those beliefs can be dismissed or rationalised away since accepting it might threaten deeply held assumptions and create psychological discomfort.' This means that the suggestion that UFO myths were created as a disinformation campaign is unlikely to affect the deeply held beliefs of those who already think UFOs are real. WHAT MAKES SOMEONE BELIEVE IN CONSPIRACY THEORIES? Over the course of three online-based studies, researchers at the University of Kent showed strong links between the belief in conspiracy theories and certain psychological traits. Narcissism and self-esteem levels have a large impact on a persons belief in conspiracy theories. The results showed that people who rated highly on the narcissism scale and who had low self-esteem were more likely to be conspiracy believers. However, while low self-esteem, narcissism and belief in conspiracies are strongly linked, it is not clear that one - or a combination - causes the other. But it hints at an interesting new angle to the world of conspiracy and those who reinforce belief. There are widely believed to be three main reasons as to why people believe in conspiracy theories. The desire for understanding and certainty - Seeking explanations for events is a natural human desire. The desire for control and security - Conspiracy theories can give their believers a sense of control and security. The desire to maintain a positive self-image - People who feel socially marginalised are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories and it gives them a sense of worth in the UFO community. These three things tie in with the previously stated qualities and combine to create an avid conspiracy theorist.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - America needs a strategy for advanced drones and other emerging technologies
Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct a misstatement about Sen. Tim Kaine's committee membership. We regret the error. A revolution long kept secret now stirs the surface of national security, propelled by emerging all-domain technologies. These include advanced drones, unidentified anomalous phenomena or UAP (formerly called UFOs) and clandestine, high-tech weapons. Capable of moving between air, space and sea, these systems can conduct intelligence and even kinetic strikes. Despite the lingering stigma at home, foreign adversaries are racing to understand UAP in particular — potentially upending geopolitics alongside our knowledge of physics. This sounds like science fiction, but it's scientific fact. As a former senior counterintelligence officer who led one of the Pentagon's UAP investigations, I recently testified before Congress that the revolution is happening now. To stay ahead, America needs a whole-of-government strategy for these paradigm-changing technologies. Just look up. The Ukrainian conflict has seen rapid advancements in drones, artificial intelligence and hypersonic missiles, exploiting asymmetrical advantages against traditionally dominant weapons like warships and tanks. China is watching closely. Beyond spy balloons — like the one that floated over the homeland in 2023 — Beijing is fielding space-age technologies to test the United States and our allies. When it comes to UAP, the Pentagon grudgingly admits after decades of denial that some demonstrate beyond-next-generation speed, maneuverability and stealth. UAP also traverse our skies — and waters — with apparent impunity. The mysterious 'drones' spotted above sensitive sites in Virginia, New Jersey and elsewhere have confounded the Defense Department and an alphabet soup of other agencies tasked with protecting America. More than 20 years after terrorists flew aircraft into buildings on 9/11, the government lacks a complete picture of our airspace. That is unacceptable. Then there are whistleblowers like David Grusch, a former U.S. Air Force major and colleague of mine who analyzed UAP as part of a Pentagon task force. He testified under oath before Congress that the government is reverse-engineering craft of 'non-human' origin. Eric Davis, an astrophysicist who advised a Pentagon UAP program, reported briefing defense officials on retrievals of 'off-world vehicles not made on this Earth.' While extraordinary, these claims demand investigation. Ignoring them only deepens mistrust in our government. Early signs are encouraging that the new administration and Congress are taking these matters seriously. President Trump pledged greater candor, calling it 'ridiculous that they are not telling you what is going on with the drones.' Senate Intelligence Committee member Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), expressed shock at the government's inability to explain incursions over Langley Air Force Base in Virginia in 2023. A bipartisan caucus of lawmakers has held hearings and called for a special committee to investigate UAP. But more must be done. Some national security experts recommend that a single coordinator manage the interagency response to drones. Because America's enemies are unlocking UAP technology to gain a decisive edge, however, UAP can no longer be distinguished entirely from unmanned systems. Although the Pentagon has claimed that no UAP represent foreign adversaries, it has failed to resolve most sightings. Its UAP office — created at congressional insistence — remains mired in bureaucracy and suspicion. Russia and China are reverse-engineering UAP. Over-compartmentalization of classified projects has further stifled U.S. research, leaving America at a disadvantage to its would-be rivals. Meanwhile, the implications for our industrial base, military doctrine and force posture remain neglected. Worse, U.S. diplomacy has yet to confront the perils to arms control, nonproliferation and global stability these technologies pose. A broader view is therefore essential. To address these challenges, the president should appoint a senior advisor for Emerging All-Domain Technologies within the National Security Council. This 'czar' would coordinate a whole-of-government response, ensuring federal, state and local authorities work together. The advisor would integrate data collection and streamline information-sharing across agencies to establish a comprehensive view of the air, space and sea domains. The government must also develop a forward-looking national strategy for these technologies. This includes identifying threats and opportunities at home and overseas, setting research and development priorities, and providing guidance to academic and private-sector partners. Transparency is vital. To rebuild public trust, our government must engage with Congress, the media and citizens. Efforts to release UAP-related records should follow a 25-year classification period unless explicitly exempted by the president. As President John F. Kennedy said, 'Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.' The rise of emerging all-domain technologies can no longer be ignored. How our nation responds will determine its leadership in a rapidly changing world. Americans deserve the truth — and a strategy to safeguard their future. Luis D. Elizondo is a former senior counterintelligence officer who previously led the Pentagon's investigation into UAP. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
27-01-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
America needs a strategy for advanced drones and other emerging technologies
A revolution long kept secret now stirs the surface of national security, propelled by emerging all-domain technologies. These include advanced drones, unidentified anomalous phenomena or UAP (formerly called UFOs) and clandestine, high-tech weapons. Capable of moving between air, space and sea, these systems can conduct intelligence and even kinetic strikes. Despite the lingering stigma at home, foreign adversaries are racing to understand UAP in particular — potentially upending geopolitics alongside our knowledge of physics. This sounds like science fiction, but it's scientific fact. As a former senior counterintelligence officer who led one of the Pentagon's UAP investigations, I recently testified before Congress that the revolution is happening now. To stay ahead, America needs a whole-of-government strategy for these paradigm-changing technologies. Just look up. The Ukrainian conflict has seen rapid advancements in drones, artificial intelligence and hypersonic missiles, exploiting asymmetrical advantages against traditionally dominant weapons like warships and tanks. China is watching closely. Beyond spy balloons — like the one that floated over the homeland in 2023 — Beijing is fielding space-age technologies to test the United States and our allies. When it comes to UAP, the Pentagon grudgingly admits after decades of denial that some demonstrate beyond-next-generation speed, maneuverability and stealth. UAP also traverse our skies — and waters — with apparent impunity. The mysterious 'drones' spotted above sensitive sites in Virginia, New Jersey and elsewhere have confounded the Defense Department and an alphabet soup of other agencies tasked with protecting America. More than 20 years after terrorists flew aircraft into buildings on 9/11, the government lacks a complete picture of our airspace. That is unacceptable. Then there are whistleblowers like David Grusch, a former U.S. Air Force major and colleague of mine who analyzed UAP as part of a Pentagon task force. He testified under oath before Congress that the government is reverse-engineering craft of 'non-human' origin. Eric Davis, an astrophysicist who advised a Pentagon UAP program, reported briefing defense officials on retrievals of 'off-world vehicles not made on this Earth.' While extraordinary, these claims demand investigation. Ignoring them only deepens mistrust in our government. Early signs are encouraging that the new administration and Congress are taking these matters seriously. President Trump pledged greater candor, calling it 'ridiculous that they are not telling you what is going on with the drones.' Senate Intelligence Committee members Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), expressed shock at the government's inability to explain incursions over Langley Air Force Base in Virginia in 2023. A bipartisan caucus of lawmakers has held hearings and called for a special committee to investigate UAP. But more must be done. Some national security experts recommend that a single coordinator manage the interagency response to drones. Because America's enemies are unlocking UAP technology to gain a decisive edge, however, UAP can no longer be distinguished entirely from unmanned systems. Although the Pentagon has claimed that no UAP represent foreign adversaries, it has failed to resolve most sightings. Its UAP office — created at congressional insistence — remains mired in bureaucracy and suspicion. Russia and China are reverse-engineering UAP. Over-compartmentalization of classified projects has further stifled U.S. research, leaving America at a disadvantage to its would-be rivals. Meanwhile, the implications for our industrial base, military doctrine and force posture remain neglected. Worse, U.S. diplomacy has yet to confront the perils to arms control, nonproliferation and global stability these technologies pose. A broader view is therefore essential. To address these challenges, the president should appoint a senior advisor for Emerging All-Domain Technologies within the National Security Council. This 'czar' would coordinate a whole-of-government response, ensuring federal, state and local authorities work together. The advisor would integrate data collection and streamline information-sharing across agencies to establish a comprehensive view of the air, space and sea domains. The government must also develop a forward-looking national strategy for these technologies. This includes identifying threats and opportunities at home and overseas, setting research and development priorities, and providing guidance to academic and private-sector partners. Transparency is vital. To rebuild public trust, our government must engage with Congress, the media and citizens. Efforts to release UAP-related records should follow a 25-year classification period unless explicitly exempted by the president. As President John F. Kennedy said, 'Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.' The rise of emerging all-domain technologies can no longer be ignored. How our nation responds will determine its leadership in a rapidly changing world. Americans deserve the truth — and a strategy to safeguard their future.
