Bangladesh, May 2 -- The conduct of modern war is no longer limited to battlefields, troop movements, or military strength. It begins much earlier, in the realm of perception, where narratives are shaped, refined, and delivered with precision. Over the past several decades, a clear pattern has emerged in which major military actions are preceded not only by political tension, but also by carefully crafted justifications that influence public understanding and acceptance. These narratives, often presented as unquestionable truth at the time, play a decisive role in gaining support for actions that carry deep human and political consequences.

This process reflects what can be described as an “architecture of consent,” a system ...