Every few months, the United States introduces a new existential threat to justify its endless wars. Last year, it was Chinese “spy balloons,” and now, we are told to fear Iranian “motherships” deploying drones off New Jersey’s coast. Beneath this absurd narrative lies a more dangerous reality: the U.S. military-industrial complex and its Israeli allies are escalating their rhetoric and actions as their global dominance falters.

This latest scare tactic follows a well-trodden path. The United States has a history of fabricating threats to rally public support for imperialist agendas. From the Gulf of Tonkin incident, which falsely justified the Vietnam War, to Iraq’s non-existent weapons of mass destruction, the pattern is unmistakable. The playbook hasn’t changed, though the names of the alleged villains have.

Reports of an Iranian vessel acting as a “mothership” for drones near New Jersey emerged this week, initially pushed by U.S. officials and amplified by a compliant media. But where are the verifiable details? How does a single ship pose a credible threat to the United States? These questions remain unanswered because truth isn’t the objective. Fear is. Fear fuels massive defense budgets, endless military interventions, and unwavering support for allies like Israel, whose interests align with Washington’s in perpetuating Middle Eastern instability.

Israel’s role in this narrative is pivotal. Recent reports indicate it is preparing to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, a move likely backed by the United States. This is the same Israel that has systematically dismantled Syria with American support, crippling its air defenses and eroding its sovereignty. These actions are framed as “self-defense” but are, in reality, acts of aggression aimed at maintaining regional dominance. The human cost, often borne by civilians, is dismissed as collateral damage.

Despite these tactics, more Americans are beginning to question their government’s narratives. Social media is filled with skepticism, and anti-war voices are gaining traction. This growing dissent weakens the effectiveness of propaganda, posing a challenge to the establishment’s grip on public opinion. Yet, with this shift comes the risk of escalation. As dissent rises, so does the desperation of those in power. The treatment of whistleblowers like Julian Assange serves as a stark warning of what happens to those who expose inconvenient truths.

History offers a sobering reminder of what may come next. False flag operations have long been used to manipulate public sentiment and justify war. The sinking of the USS Maine in 1898 led to the Spanish-American War, the Gulf of Tonkin incident spurred U.S. involvement in Vietnam, and fabricated claims about Iraq’s WMDs resulted in two decades of devastation in the Middle East. The Iranian “mothership” narrative could very well be the precursor to another manufactured crisis.

As the U.S. and Israel scramble to maintain their influence in an increasingly multipolar world, their reliance on deceit becomes more apparent. The age of blind trust in Western narratives is waning, with more people recognizing the lies that fuel perpetual wars and enrich defense contractors. The challenge now lies in resisting provocations and demanding accountability before another cycle of destruction begins.

Iranian motherships, Chinese balloons, or whatever threat emerges next—it’s all part of the same tired playbook. The sooner we reject it, the closer we come to breaking free from its grasp.