A false flag operation is an act committed with the intent of disguising the actual source of responsibility and pinning blame on another party. The term "false flag" originated in the 16th century as an expression meaning an intentional misrepresentation of someone's allegiance. The term was famously used to describe a ruse in naval warfare whereby a vessel flew the flag of a neutral or enemy country in order to hide its true identity. The tactic was originally used by pirates and privateers to deceive other ships into allowing them to move closer before attacking them. It later was deemed an acceptable practice during naval warfare according to international maritime laws, provided the attacking vessel displayed its true flag once an attack had begun.
This US Douglas A-26 C Invader located at Tamiami Executive airport was painted in Cuban Air Force colors for the Bay of Pigs Invasion undertaken by the CIA-sponsored paramilitary group Brigade 2506 in April 1961.
Japanese experts inspect the scene of the "railway sabotage" on the South Manchurian Railway.
Alfred Naujocks
Operation Northwoods memorandum (13 March 1962)
A casus belli is an act or an event that either provokes or is used to justify a war. A casus belli involves direct offenses or threats against the nation declaring the war, whereas a casus foederis involves offenses or threats against its ally—usually one bound by a mutual defense pact. Either may be considered an act of war. A declaration of war usually contains a description of the casus belli that has led the party in question to declare war on another party.
Cartoon of belligerent Uncle Sam placing Spain on notice, c. 1898
Alfred Naujocks, who organized and led the Gleiwitz incident on the orders of Heydrich.
February 5, 2003 – U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell holding a model vial of anthrax while giving the presentation to the UN Security Council.
