Topic: Michael Lumpkin

Michael Lumpkin, a former State Department official, testified before the House Armed Services Committee regarding the need for more funding to counter ISIS propaganda. Lumpkin argued for "scalpel-like" messaging to target specific recruit profiles, noting that a single kinetic strike costs $250 million while messaging efforts are underfunded at $5.6 million.

The State Department announced the creation of the Global Engagement Center, led by Michael D. Lumpkin, to counter extremist messaging from groups like ISIL. The center will utilize data science and social media campaigns to "synchronize messaging" to foreign audiences. Critics describe this as the institutionalization of government propaganda, with plans to fund media startups and "positive messengers."