this post was submitted on 05 Sep 2025
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"Devil Eyes was the code name for a secret psychological warfare program in 2005–2006 by the United States Central Intelligence Agency. The program allegedly aimed to develop an action figure of Osama bin Laden and distribute it in South Asia, especially Afghanistan and Pakistan, as part of an effort to influence public opinion.[1][2]

The CIA worked in conjunction with toymaker Donald Levine, a former Hasbro executive who has been credited as the "father" of G.I. Joe toys.[3] Levine designed a 12-inch lifelike figure of bin Laden whose face was painted with a material that, when heated, would peel off to reveal a demon-like visage with red skin, green eyes, and black markings. The goal of the program was to scare children and their parents to turn public opinion against the real Osama bin Laden, or Al-Qaeda.[4][5][6]"

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[–] iAvicenna@lemmy.world 3 points 6 days ago

Is this really the CIA that US cinema has been pumping up as the cool hacker guys for the last twenty years.

[–] Blackfeathr@lemmy.world 18 points 1 week ago

So they turned Bin Laden into Darth Maul?

[–] Cris_Color@lemmy.world 11 points 1 week ago

That is absolutely wild, thanks for posting

[–] Tarquinn2049@lemmy.world 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Ok, I gotta ask... was "Demon Eyes" [Demonize] already taken?

[–] Aatube@kbin.melroy.org 1 points 6 days ago (1 children)
[–] Tarquinn2049@lemmy.world 1 points 6 days ago

Yeah, doesn't quite roll off the tongue. And would clearly be the second pun they would think of. So I have to assume the first choice was already taken.

[–] end_stage_ligma@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago

What an amazing [ab]use of taxpayer money.

[–] HubertManne@piefed.social 6 points 1 week ago

Did no one stop to say that just makes him look cool?!

[–] lagoon8622@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 week ago

This is so fucking dumb lmao. Classic CIA