Propaganda is often assumed to follow a steady trajectory: a movement builds momentum, sustains attention, and embeds itself into the public consciousness over time. Yet, in recent history, we see a different kind of pattern—one that flares up suddenly, dominates discourse intensely, and then fades almost as quickly as it appeared. This “flash-fire” pattern is distinct from traditional propaganda campaigns, and its mechanics reveal much about the vulnerabilities of modern information ecosystems.
The Nature of the Flash-Fire Pattern
Unlike sustained ideological movements, flash-fire propaganda thrives on immediacy. It is designed to capture attention in the moment of crisis, saturate the media environment, and then vanish once its utility has expired. The disappearance is not accidental—it reflects the tactical use of narratives as disposable tools rather than enduring frameworks (Winslow 2025).
Case Study 1: Ukrainian War Propaganda
When the war in Ukraine began, Western and Ukrainian messaging surged across platforms. Images of resistance, heroic figures, and simplified good-versus-evil narratives dominated headlines. The intensity was unmistakable: hashtags, memes, and viral videos flooded the digital sphere. Yet, within months, much of this fervor receded. The narratives did not vanish entirely, but the saturation level dropped, replaced by other crises and competing storylines. The pattern here was one of immediate mobilization, followed by strategic withdrawal once public attention had been secured (Malhan & Dewani 2021).
Case Study 2: COVID-19 Messaging
At the onset of the pandemic, governments and institutions unleashed a torrent of messaging: “Stay home, save lives,” “Flatten the curve,” and constant updates on infection rates. The propaganda was omnipresent, shaping behavior through fear, solidarity, and repetition. But as the pandemic evolved, many of these slogans and campaigns disappeared. Messaging shifted, fragmented, and eventually dissipated, leaving behind a residue of contested narratives. The flash-fire pattern was evident: a sudden surge of unified messaging, followed by a rapid decline once compliance was achieved or fatigue set in (Smith 2025).
Case Study 3: Pro-Palestinian Propaganda in Washington, D.C.
During moments of heightened conflict in Gaza, Washington, D.C. became a focal point for pro‑Palestinian messaging. Posters, rallies, and viral campaigns surged into public view, often dominating the streets and social media feeds. Yet, just as quickly, much of this visibility evaporated. The slogans and imagery that had saturated the capital’s public spaces disappeared, leaving only traces of the movement. This illustrates the flash-fire pattern vividly: a sudden eruption of messaging designed to capture attention and signal urgency, followed by a rapid decline once the immediate moment passed or competing narratives took over (Winslow 2025).
Historical Context: “Color Revolutions”
The “color revolutions” in Serbia, Georgia, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan illustrate how flash-fire propaganda can be weaponized in political upheaval. Student movements such as Otpor! in Serbia and Kmara in Georgia used sudden, highly visible campaigns—posters, slogans, and mass rallies—to galvanize populations against entrenched regimes. These movements relied on the rapid materialization of symbolic causes (e.g., the “Rose Revolution” or “Orange Revolution”) to signal legitimacy and urgency. Scholars note that these revolutions combined elements of grassroots protest with orchestrated messaging, creating a hybrid form of propaganda-driven mobilization (Lane 2009; Bunce & Gunitsky 2014; Solovei 2015). The suddenness of their emergence was itself a tactic: engineered visibility designed to overwhelm authoritarian control and project inevitability.
Why the Pattern Matters
The flash-fire pattern reveals a shift in how propaganda functions in the digital age. It is less about building long-term loyalty and more about engineering short-term compliance, emotional reaction, or distraction. This makes it harder for the public to recognize propaganda as such—its fleeting nature disguises its manipulative intent. Yet, by studying these cycles, we can see the fingerprints of engineered narratives: sudden intensity, saturation, and disappearance.
Conclusion
Traditional propaganda sought permanence; flash-fire propaganda seeks immediacy. By examining Ukraine, COVID-19, pro‑Palestinian campaigns in Washington, D.C., street-level bursts, and color revolutions, we see the contours of a new pattern—one that thrives on the volatility of modern attention economies. Recognizing this pattern is essential for resisting manipulation and reclaiming agency in the face of engineered narratives.
References
- Winslow, N. (2025). The History of Propaganda—and What It Looks Like Today. HyperHistory. hyperhistory…
- Smith, B. L. (2025). Propaganda: Influence, Persuasion, Communication. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Britannica
- Malhan, M., & Dewani, P. P. (2021). Propaganda as Communication Strategy: Historic and Contemporary Perspective. Academy of Marketing Studies Journal. Allied Busin…
- Lane, D. (2009). Color Revolutions: Revolutionary Coup d’État. Springer. Springer
- Bunce, V. J., & Gunitsky, S. (2014). Color Revolutions in Eurasia. SpringerBriefs in Political Science. Springer
- Solovei, V. (2015). Color Revolutions and Russia. Cambridge University Press.
Written with the help of Copilot AI.
Writing by Dr. Dannielle Blumenthal 