Allegations of brainwashing by Army psy-ops troops on VIPs

Petraeus Investigates Psy-Ops on VIPs

The commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan has ordered an investigation into allegations that a top general there tried to manipulate lawmakers into supporting his command by using psychological operations troops.

Pentagon spokesman Col. Dave Lapan said overall Afghanistan commander Gen. David Petraeus has ordered his staff to look into reports that Lt. Gen. William Caldwell forced Army psy-ops troops to compile dossiers on visiting U.S. Senators -- and even Joint Chiefs chairman Adm. Mike Mullen -- in an effort to favorably influence their oversight of U.S. efforts to train the Afghan army and police.

The allegations of brainwashing by Caldwell's command – which is in charge of the overall training mission for Afghan security forces – were first reported in Rolling Stone magazine Feb. 23.

The investigation "is not focused on any particular person other than determining the facts and circumstances that were raised in that story," Lapan said.