The Controversial History of Weather Weapons: Unveiling Operation Popeye
The manipulation of weather for military purposes, known as “weather weapons,” has been a contentious topic. This expanded article delves deeper into the historical aspects of weather modification in warfare, with a particular focus on Operation Popeye, a significant yet controversial U.S. military operation during the Vietnam War.
Operation Popeye: The Genesis of Weather Warfare
Operation Popeye was a covert initiative by the U.S. military, aiming to extend the monsoon season over key supply routes used by the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong. The operation, which ran from 1967 to 1972, sought to increase rainfall and disrupt enemy logistics by softening road surfaces, causing landslides, and washing out river crossings. This strategic use of weather modification marked one of the first instances where environmental manipulation was employed as a systematic tool in warfare.
The Role of the U.S. Congress
The U.S. Congress played a pivotal role in bringing Operation Popeye to public attention. In the early 1970s, Congressional hearings shed light on the use of environmental modification techniques in warfare. These hearings revealed the extent of U.S. involvement in weather modification, leading to…
