How the Pentagon Learned to Use Targeted Ads to Find its Targets—and Vladimir Putin

Targeted advertising has long been a key tool for marketers looking to reach specific audiences with their messages. But now, the Pentagon has learned to use this technology to find its targets—both physical and political.

By leveraging the same techniques that companies like Facebook and Google use to track users online behavior, the Pentagon has been able to identify and target individuals of interest in their military operations. This includes not only locating physical targets in war zones, but also manipulating the information people see online to influence political outcomes.

One of the most high-profile instances of this was when the Pentagon used targeted advertising to track down and kill ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2019. By analyzing online data and using geolocation targeting, they were able to pinpoint his location and launch a successful airstrike.

But it’s not just terrorists that the Pentagon is targeting. In recent years, they have also been using these tactics to keep an eye on political adversaries, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin. By monitoring his online activity and analyzing the information he consumes, they hope to gain insights into his intentions and potential actions.

As technology continues to advance, the Pentagon’s use of targeted ads for military and political purposes is likely to become even more sophisticated. While these tactics raise ethical concerns about privacy and manipulation, they have proven to be effective tools in the modern era of warfare and international politics.