States Weaponize UFO Myths

Intelligence services can deliberately amplify or tolerate paranormal/folkloric narratives (UFOs, ghost stories) because such myths are low‑cost cover stories that absorb civilian reports of clandestine tests or operations. Those myths persist long after the operations end, reshaping public trust in science and government oversight. — Recognizing this tactic reframes some UFO discourse from purely epistemic mystery into an index of historical intelligence practices with ongoing political and institutional implications.