Steve--

You are right that any survey is a snapshot in time. But string them together over time and it is more like a moving picture. That said, I do not disagree with the philosophical point but I think that the application of available survey research data would provide a more nuanced starting point. As I said before, I don't think that the 2 approaches are necessarily mutually exclusive although they probably are so in any particular country at any given point in time. Which leads me to my second point:

Gian--

You are correct to point out that IO - or better stated, PSYOP - depends on performance on the ground. Unlike commercial advertising where the problem is to convince people that your aspirin works better than the other guy's, the PSYOP problem is to convince people that "aspirin" works at all. If that can be demonstrated then sophisticated and simple techniques for getting the message out will work. If not, then no technique will work over the long haul to sell the "snake oil."

Cheers

JohnT