false flag
Blame-shifting attack
A false flag is a covert operation designed to appear as though carried out by someone other than the actual perpetrator—originally naval deception using enemy flags.
The term now applies broadly to staged attacks meant to provoke war or justify retaliation: Critics called the border incident a false flag to justify invasion.
In conspiracy circles, false flag has become an all-purpose accusation that any attack was secretly orchestrated by governments or shadowy forces.
Unfairly blamed person
- incriminateShow involvement in wrongdoing
- frameSupporting outer structure
- implicateSuggest involvement in wrongdoing
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
patsy · misdirection · impersonation · disguise · misattribution · setup · framing
Deliberate deception for effect
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
sham · fraud · subterfuge · forgery · counterfeit · feint · duplicity · artifice
Strategic manipulation of adversaries' thinking
- provocationAct that triggers response
- stagedArranged for effect
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
counterintelligence · espionage · intelligence · reconnaissance · cover-up · setup · frame-up · entrapment
Spread or defame
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- discreditHarm another's reputation
- distortionTwisting from original state
- agitpropPolitical art for causes
scapegoat
Unfairly blamed person
- incriminateShow involvement in wrongdoing
- frameSupporting outer structure
- implicateSuggest involvement in wrongdoing
blame · patsy · misdirection · impersonation · disguise · misattribution · setup · framing
hoax
Deliberate deception for effect
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
ploy · sham · fraud · subterfuge · forgery · counterfeit · feint · duplicity · artifice · masquerade
psyops
Strategic manipulation of adversaries' thinking
- provocationAct that triggers response
- stagedArranged for effect
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
sabotage · counterintelligence · espionage · intelligence · reconnaissance · cover-up · setup · frame-up · entrapment · pretext
smear
Spread or defame
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- discreditHarm another's reputation
- distortionTwisting from original state
agitprop · manipulation · narrative · spin · fearmongering
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- Spy Fictionspy, secret agent, double agent, MI6, CIA
- dirty trickscheating, lying, deceit, trickery, deception
- Spycraftspy, agent, asset, covert, handler
- covert tacticssubterfuge, decoy, feint, diversion, misdirection
- deliberate deceptionsbluff, feint, misdirection, red herring, decoy