On September 26, 2022, the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipelines experienced a series of underwater explosions and leaks. These pipelines mainly belonged to Russia and transported natural gas to Germany through the Baltic Sea.

These pipelines weren’t functioning due to the European Union’s boycott of Russia following the latter’s invasion of Ukraine. However, they still contained natural gas that started leaking once the explosions occurred.

While there are theories, no one knows who did it—that is, no one except apparently Seymour Hersh. This article criticizes his latest misinformation attempt and its negative impact. 

With a title like “How America Took Out The Nord Stream Pipeline,” Hersh starts with who he believes bombed the pipelines. His reasons for thinking, while porous and easily refuted, aren’t without a ripple effect.

The Smoking Gun (Or Lack Thereof)

We won’t link to the Substack article because it doesn’t bear reading. Hersh’s words may appear valid and make sense to the untrained eye. However, as one article said, they lack “a smoking gun.” 

Hersh claims that the US and Norway conspired to bomb the pipelines. He quotes “a source” when stating his reasons for doing so, and that’s where it takes a turn for the bizarre.

Jens Stoltenberg’s Alleged Support

Hersh claims that Jens Stoltenberg, Norway’s former prime minister and the 13th Secretary General of NATO, was in favor of the attack for two reasons:

• He was a hardliner and an anti-communist.
• He had worked with the US intelligence since the Vietnam War.

The first claim might be accurate, but the second is problematic because it wouldn’t make sense for Stoltenberg to support US intelligence during the war in Saigon. Here’s a concurrent timeline of the NATO general and the war:

• President Johnson sent the first batch of troops to Indochina in 1965.
• Stoltenberg was six at this time, having been born in March 1959.
• The last American troops left in March 1973.
• Stoltenberg would have been 14 at the time.

Stoltenberg couldn’t have supported US intelligence during the Vietnam War even if he wanted to. He was too young to be of any help to the powers that be at the time.

The Multiplying Effect of Misinformation

While the US and Norway denied Seymour Hersh’s claims, every other news outlet reported it like breaking news. From Russian propagandists to Sky News, the story created ripples everywhere.

Some outlets saw the self-published piece for what it was and avoided reporting on it. While they reserved their two cents, they felt it necessary to report how Russia saw the piece.

All said, what should have died with a simple denial was reported enough to be seen as the truth. It was misinformation 101, but it was what the other side wanted to hear, even if it resulted in a bigger war.

Not the First or Last from Seymour Hersh

Seymour Hersh is a Pulitzer Prize winner, so his word holds some sway in international forums. However, Kennedys and King is aware of his ongoing misinformation campaigns regarding Osama bin Laden and President Kennedy.

Proceed to our complete article for the specifics and help us beat the misinformation surrounding the political assassinations of the 1960s through fact-checking, lobbying, and the odd email.

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