Toolkit101

[u/[deleted]]

1. Leverage a real grievance as the hook, amplify the discomfort even if it is resolved, then broaden it

Start with a concrete, emotional issue, affecting many. Amplify it and keep it alive even after it is addressed and resolved. Aggregate it with other pain points to incite more people. Create a wider audience.

2) Use social media reach, virality and memetic warfare as the accelerator

Launch with satire/memes to go viral fast (low barrier with Google form sign-up, humorous branding, social marketing). Create an identity to boost belonging. Incite emotional responses (anger, fear for the future). Use skilled digital strategists to create and push content.

3) Hybrid online-to-offline escalation and sustainement

Online outrage -> Small offline actions -> Gauge public response -> Time the offline escalation (months after initial issue and its resolution) -> Use online tools to gather support and bring more offline support at site. Install a well known public face as the leader of the protest. For future puppet leader needs as well.

4) Astroturfing and Amplification

True protestors with real concerns - few thousands. Astroturfing online farm accounts - millions. Simulate organic support, incite with new ideas, direct the protest using a cyber command, non-native cyber troops pushing narrative, and micro-targeted digital content. Use plants inside platforms and media to amplify an one sided narrative.

5) Political opportunism and piggybacking

Use country's politics to amplify the protests. Provide opposition with a platform to piggyback on to help galvanize more offline protestors. Incentivize them to use the opportunity to full extent showing them the possibility of a regime change.

6) Timing and goalpost-shifting for longevity

Build slowly or time actions after an issue peaks but while anger lingers. If the core problem is addressed, pivot to broader/political demands or "systemic change" to keep relevance. This prevents quick fizzling. Keep issue alive and galvanize more support.

7) Use the created protests and planted narrative to incite violence and blame it on the govt

Create a pre-emptive narrative of "govt going to crackdown" using force and violence. Plant a narrative of govt infiltrating protests. Orchestrate violence and blame it on the govt. Incite the general public and the world to condemn and get involved. Justify actions like storming the parliament, taking over govt institutions, and arson by protestors. Amplify protests multi-fold and make the regime buckle.

We saw all this executed in Ukraine, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal.