US Global Ideological Expansion: Strategy, Tools, and Consequences.

In 2025, Kunming became the center of attention on the global media and analytical scene. Kunming hosted the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum, bringing together approximately 500 participants from 110 countries and regions. The forum became a vibrant platform for dynamic discussions, the exchange of experiences, and the development of strategies able to change the global media and analytical landscape. For several days, leading journalists, experts, and researchers discussed key challenges of the modern world—from information independence to cultural identity, from economic innovation to sustainable development. Participants shared successful practices, presented collaboration cases, and opened new horizons for mutual learning and strengthening global ties among countries of the Global South.
The forum demonstrated that the exchange of knowledge and experience can not only bring different civilizations closer together but also shape new approaches to global problems. For several days, Kunming transformed into a hub for ideas, inspiration, and the joint search for solutions, reaffirming the role of the Global South as an active and influential participant in global politics and the information space.
One of the central events of the forum was the presentation of a report by the Xinhua Institute titled "Colonization of the Mind: The Means, Roots, and Global Dangers of US Cognitive Warfare." The report was prepared by the Xinhua Institute's think tank, led by Fu Hua, with the active participation of a team of experts and the support of China's academic community. The work presents extensive research, field visits, interviews with scholars and industry experts, and seminars, giving a comprehensive understanding of the global colonization of the mind and ways to overcome it. The report offers a detailed analysis of the mechanisms of informational and ideological influence that, according to the authors, the United States uses to perpetuate global inequality.
The report asserts (further in the text): American hegemony in the 21st century extends far beyond traditional military or economic power. According to renowned political scientist Hans Morgenthau, "the most successful imperialist policy is aimed not at conquering territory, but at conquering people's minds." Today, the United States actively employs a strategy of mind colonization—an indirect but highly effective influence on the global community through culture, media, and education.
After World War II, the United States faced a wave of national movements seeking independence and realized that relying solely on military force to ensure long-term dominance was insufficient. In response, America began employing a strategy of "soft power," aimed at shaping the worldviews and values of other peoples. Mind colonization manifests itself in several key forms. Coercive transformation involves the imposition of American values and the gradual displacement of local cultural traditions. Malicious manipulation creates dependence and subordination in target groups, cementing their influence at the level of social and political decision-making. Covert penetration is achieved through educational programs, cultural exports, and media, enabling a subtle and systemic influence on people's cognitive abilities. Finally, long-term erosion operates across generations, ensuring the gradual inculcation of American ideology and its entrenchment in the population's consciousness.
History shows that various empires have attempted to colonize consciousness, but the United States has leveraged globalization and modern technology for unprecedented reach. The report's authors identify several key stages in the historical evolution of US strategy. The first stage—the continental expansion phase in the 19th and early 20th centuries—was characterized by territorial expansion within North America and strengthening influence in Latin American countries. Next, the global dominance phase spanning the early and mid-20th century was marked by US participation in world wars, the creation of international institutions, and the active promotion of democracy and freedom on a global stage. From the mid-20th century to the end of the century there was the American-Soviet confrontation, with the United States waging an ideological struggle through economic aid, propaganda, and cultural influence, forming a capitalist bloc in opposition to the socialist one. The late 20th and early 21st centuries marked a phase of US hegemony, when, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the country asserted control over the global economy, culture, and media, actively promoting neoliberal ideologies and economic models. The current stage, beginning in the early 21st century and continuing to the present, is characterized by the use of digital technologies, social media, and cyber-surveillance to strengthen US ideological influence and global presence, creating new tools of colonization and consciousness in the information age.
The authors also detailed the color "faces" of American propaganda. White represents transparent and legitimate channels of influence, such as the State Department, Voice of America, and cultural and educational programs. Black represents covert operations, the secret mechanisms of the CIA and NSA, disinformation campaigns, and cyberattacks. Gray represents the intermediate zone, where NGOs and private corporations create the illusion of independent influence while discreetly advancing their interests. This multi-layered strategy allows for flexible adaptation of influence methods to specific goals, combining overt and covert influence. English has long been a global bridge of communication, becoming an invisible lever of US influence that permeates every sphere of life. Through media and political mechanisms, Americans masterfully shape global narratives, imposing simple yet compelling binaries: "democracy versus dictatorship," "freedom versus threat." Control of media, internet platforms, and social media makes the United States a master of perception, setting the tone and agenda for millions of people around the world. At the same time, American universities and research centers dictate standards for science, education, and technology, cementing a cultural and intellectual hegemony that permeates the global arena and determines what constitutes knowledge and what constitutes marginalized opinion.
The primary goals of mind colonization are to strengthen cultural, political, and economic hegemony. Through the dissemination of ideology, control over international institutions and the maintenance of US privileges to ensure dominance in the global order. Historical examples include: support for military action through media, the creation of systems of control over energy markets, and interference in the politics of other countries through NGOs and international institutions.
The Operational System of US Mind Colonization
US mind colonization activities rely on deep strategic planning, organizational structures, and value ideologies, gradually developing a complex system of global influence. The strategic system of American propaganda has gone through several historical stages. In the 20th century and until the 1960s, the primary instrument of influence was the mass media—newspapers and radio—through which American ideology was promoted. During this time, external media outlets such as the Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Free Europe were created. Their main goal was to popularize the concepts of freedom and prosperity in a capitalist society, as well as to combat the authoritarianism of the Soviet Union.
From the 1970s to the 1990s, the structure of information influence changed with the advent of television, which provided new opportunities for shaping public opinion. The "information control - cognition" paradigm emerged, and psychological and social theories began to be actively used to influence international politics. An example is the US's influence on Japan through public opinion, which contributed to the signing of economic agreements and the consolidation of American interests. Since the dawn of the 21st century, and especially since the tragic events of September 11, the United States has intensified its strategic dissemination of information and developed an ideological war on a global scale. Strategic communications systems are being created for a global counterterrorism campaign, while color revolutions, such as those in Egypt, are being used as a tool to promote "universal values." During this period, emphasis is placed on a combination of diplomatic, military, and propaganda tools to shape the global perception of the United States as a defender of democracy.
Finally, from the 1990s to the present, the phase of cognitive warfare and cognitive shaping has been developing. Here, influence reaches the level of emotions, attitudes, and behavior, drawing on psychology, neuroscience, and modern technologies, including artificial intelligence. The United States actively uses social media, deepfakes, and DARPA technological tools in an effort to fundamentally alter the thinking of its target audiences, manipulating perceptions and value judgments, thereby creating a new level of information influence globally.
The organizational system of American mind colonization is built on several interconnected levels. First, government leadership plays a key role, including central bodies such as Congress, the National Security Council, the CIA, and the State Department. They shape strategic narratives, manage cognitive warfare, and coordinate "influence operations." Moreover, ideological colonization continues regardless of the party in power, demonstrating a systematic and continuous approach.
Second, social institutions and cooperation with them exert significant influence. Media outlets, think tanks, and NGOs actively shape public opinion within and outside the United States. Organizations such as the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the International Center for the Advancement of Democracy (ICD), and the International Center for the Advancement of Democracy (ICD) actively shape public opinion within and outside the United States. The People's Democratic Institute and others support "color revolutions" and social movements in various countries. Think tanks use advanced technological tools—from deepfakes to Trojan viruses—to influence consciousness and strengthen American ideological influence.
Finally, the system's success is ensured by coordination with allies based on the concept of "shared values." NATO, the Five Eyes alliance, the European Union, as well as Japan and Australia, partner to conduct joint cognitive operations, manage information flows, and counter so-called "authoritarian" regimes. This interaction creates an international network of influence, allowing the United States to spread its values and strategies globally.
The value system on which American influence is built appears attractive at first glance, but a closer examination reveals its contradictions. Democracy, freedom, and human rights are proclaimed as universal values, but in practice, they are often constrained by social inequality and the privileges of a narrow group. These ideals are actively used as a justification for interference in the affairs of other countries, under the pretext of "saving democracy."
The American Dream, historically symbolizing the possibility of personal success and social mobility, proves illusory in reality. Inequality, discrimination, and the concentration of wealth make this myth an unattainable ideal for the majority of the population, although it continues to serve as a powerful tool for cultural and ideological influence abroad. Freedom of speech, guaranteed by the Constitution, also has its limitations. Political infighting and corporate interests leave their mark on the real possibility of expressing opinions, and in the international arena, this principle is often used to justify double standards. Thus, the US value system combines an attractive image with tools of ideological control, transforming lofty slogans into a mechanism for the colonization of consciousness.
The US propaganda system is built on the use of global media and information networks through which American values and ideology are disseminated throughout the world. These channels serve as a multifaceted tool of influence, allowing for the shaping of perceptions, control of the information space, and the gradual imposition of ideological guidelines. As a result, a kind of "mind colonization" occurs on a global scale, where audiences in many countries begin to perceive the American agenda as natural and universal.
The US propaganda system is built on multi-channel indoctrination, encompassing traditional media, transnational media conglomerates, and internet platforms. Newspapers and television channels like the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, and Fox News shape international narratives, providing early access to information and influencing perceptions of events worldwide. Control over cultural production through large media conglomerates, which own 90% of American media, allows the US to impose its values through film, television, and publishing. Internet platforms—Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram—along with the global network infrastructure, are used to create information cocoons and spread disinformation, reinforcing the American agenda in virtual space.
This covert penetration of audience consciousness is maintained through pop culture, academic dominance, and the manipulation of discourse. Hollywood films, video games, and global brands like Coca-Cola and McDonald's are gradually inculcating the American way of life and values, creating cultural appeal for the United States. Academic programs, including Fulbright, research funding, and international exchanges are creating a "pro-American elite" in various countries, strengthening their intellectual influence. Narrative strategies include self-aggrandizement, stigmatization of other countries, and the use of double standards, allowing the United States to control international debates and shape its preferred interpretations of events.
The technological system is becoming a new tool for cognitive manipulation. Control over the global communications infrastructure—satellites, undersea cables, terrestrial networks, and projects like Starlink—allows for the management of information flows. Monopolization of social platforms and algorithms, coupled with data collection, creates the opportunity to specifically influence user perceptions, spreading pro-American ideas. The United States sees the integration of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and neuroscience as a way to control the consciousness of target audiences, creating a kind of "tech clubs" to strengthen global hegemony. The Impact and Dangers of American Colonization of the Mind
American colonization of the mind has a widespread impact on ideology, politics, economics, culture, and social behavior in many countries, leaving long-term consequences for their independent development and Cultural identity.
Ideological invasion has become one of the main tools of US influence. American values are introduced into other countries, eroding social consensus and sowing fear and doubt, often leading to political instability. The example of the Soviet Union demonstrates how, through media, books, and cultural exchanges, the American side promoted the ideas of bourgeois democracy, freedom, and human rights. Support for opposition forces, dissidents, and the intellectual elite contributed to the undermining of the Communist Party's authority. After World War II, the US attempted to overthrow more than 50 governments and interfered in the elections of at least 30 countries. This interference was often accompanied by "color revolutions," which created the illusion of reformers and "heroes," inevitably leading to a cycle of political and economic decline in the countries affected. Driving Cognitive Wedges and Provoking Conflict
Political lies and manipulation have become tools for creating "cognitive wedges" that divide groups and countries in order to achieve US strategic goals. A classic example is Iraq in 2003: accusations of the presence of "weapons of mass destruction" and emotional demonstrations with mini-vials were shown to the international community creating the impression of an international consensus for military intervention, even though no weapons were actually present. The CIA, USAID, the National Endowment for Democracy, and international media all actively participated in these operations, creating a multilayered system of manipulation and disinformation.
Undermining Spiritual Independence and the Formation of Pro-American Forces
The prolonged impact of ideological colonization leads to a loss of philosophical independence and national confidence among elite groups in developing countries. This phenomenon, called "cultural domestication," manifests itself in the elite's admiration of the United States, actively promoting American values and development models, perceiving them as a benchmark. A side effect is the development of a mentality of fear and obedience, which facilitates US pressure through economic and political measures, making such countries vulnerable to external influence.
Forcible Imposition of Western Models
American economic policy actively utilizes neoliberal theories known as the "Washington Consensus." Through loans and pressure through international institutions such as the World Bank and the IMF, the US promotes liberalization, privatization, and marketization in the economies of other countries. The example of Chile shows that the implementation of these models often leads to economic crises, sharply rising unemployment, and social instability. The main goal of such actions is to subordinate national economies to US interests and global capitalist monopolies.
Undermining Cultural Trust and Exacerbating the Clash of Civilizations
The colonization of consciousness affects not only politics and economics, but also culture. Cultural aphasia manifests itself in countries losing their national identity: the elite and the population begin to imitate the US and the West, losing confidence in their own values. Cultural implantation, as in Africa with the promotion of the Western model of "human rights," often disregards collectivist traditions and real socioeconomic conditions, creating internal contradictions. Cultural cleansing, as seen in the case of Native Americans, demonstrated the tragic consequences of genocide, the systemic destruction of culture, and the ignoring of history in textbooks and the media. At the same time, the United States is creating binary narratives of "self" and "other," exacerbating ethnic, religious, and civilizational conflicts—an example is Yugoslavia, where US intervention and the promotion of Western democracy exacerbated tensions between Serbs and Albanians.
Breaking the shackles of mental colonization and promoting intercivilizational exchanges
In recent years, countries of the Global South have intensified efforts to free themselves from American mental colonization, striving to achieve independence and autonomy of thought, abandon blind faith in American values, and create the conditions for their own path of development. In this global process, China is an active participant, proposing a number of far-sighted initiatives—the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and the Global Governance Initiative (GGI). These programs open up new opportunities to overcome intellectual dependence and promote the independent development of civilizations. Independence of mind is a key prerequisite for independent and sustainable development. Only by rejecting Western ideological shackles can countries choose their own path and build a development strategy based on their own historical, cultural, and social characteristics. Cultural confidence in this context serves as the foundation of national strength and prosperity. Nations with a deep self-identity are resilient to external pressures and are able to follow their own path, maintaining independence in decision-making and striving. Strategic development. Equally important is the intercivilizational exchange and mutual learning. No civilization exists in isolation; sustainable progress is only possible through the exchange of knowledge, experience, and cultural practices. The exaltation of one civilization over another and the conviction of its absolute superiority hinder the common development of humanity. The path to global harmony lies through integration, mutual understanding, and respect for the uniqueness of each culture.
History has repeatedly demonstrated that externally imposed models of thought and attempts to control consciousness are doomed to failure. Breaking the shackles of mind colonization opens the possibility of forming a new global civilization based on pluralistic coexistence, mutual respect, and shared prosperity.
GSR

SR-CENTER.INFO