Operation Lockstep is a conspiracy theory which asserts that COVID-19 pandemic was deliberately planned by Rockefeller Foundation to establish global authoritarianism. One scenario, named Lock Step, imagined what impact such an outbreak could have on global society by 2012.
This conspiracy theory cherry-picks specific details from Lock Step scenario while leaving out other aspects. Furthermore, this theory falsely links Rockefeller Foundation and Rockefeller family as part of a global elite network trying to control world affairs.
The following article provides some facts and context regarding Operation Lockstep as well as debunking some of its proponents’ common claims.
Where did Operation Lockstep originate?
Operation Lockstep’s foundation lies in a report entitled, “Scenarios for the Future of Technology and International Development”, released by Rockefeller Foundation and Global Business Network in May 2010. This research sought to assess how various causes could alter global affairs over the coming 15-20 years while exploring how technology may provide solutions.
This report presented four scenarios, each with their own themes and storylines, not as predictions or recommendations but instead tools to stimulate strategic thought and discussion. According to its creators:
Scenarios are not predictions; rather they serve as hypotheses which allow us to explore and practice strategies for more successfully facing the future, or, even more ambitiously, shaping better ones ourselves.
Four scenarios were presented, each representing an ideal world in which strong economic growth is coupled with global collaboration on issues like climate change, poverty and health.
Hack Attack: Hack attacks, bioterrorism and other forms of violence threaten global security and trust.
Smart Scramble: Imagine living in a world where resource constraints and environmental disasters force individuals to find innovative solutions on an individual basis.
Lock Step: Imagine a world in which an epidemic with high mortality rates sets off an upsurge of authoritarianism and nationalism.
This report detailed each scenario, outlining its drivers, challenges, opportunities, and implications in great depth. Additionally, fictional characters and stories were introduced into each situation to illustrate its effect on real lives.
What is a Lock Step scenario?
The Lock Step scenario presented a nightmare scenario wherein a novel strain of influenza appeared in 2012 from wild geese, killing 8 million people within seven months and leading many governments to implement lockdowns, mandatory wearing of face masks, border closures and biometric IDs in order to keep citizens safe.
This scenario explored how different countries reacted to and recovered from a pandemic in its aftermath, with China, India and Russia becoming more authoritarian and centralized while others such as the US experienced civil unrest and political fragmentation. Furthermore, it explored how pandemic affected multiple sectors including health care, education tourism and trade.
The report determined that the Lock Step scenario wasn’t necessarily an end-all and be-all, but rather was one which could occur under certain conditions. Furthermore, it acknowledged that many uncertainties and variables could play into how such an event played out. It concluded as follows:
This report presents scenarios about what may occur over the next 15 to 20 years in various areas of the world; they do not promise or predict anything specific. Each scenario represents one possible story about what could take place; there could be many other stories written under similar conditions. Analysis allows us to consider questions like: “How robust are our strategies?” and “Where might our biggest blind spots lie” along with questions such as: What will it take for us to thrive–or even survive!–in this possible future and how should we plan for it?
How has Operation Lockstep turned into a conspiracy theory?
Operation Lockstep became a source of widespread controversy around mid-2020 when social media users started discussing it as evidence of a sinister plot by the Rockefeller Foundation to foment COVID-19 pandemic. This version altered or embellished many details from its original report such as:
Claiming that Operation Lockstep was not one of four scenarios in an official document but instead part of its report or plan by the Rockefeller Foundation is simply misleading.
Assuming that Operation Lockstep anticipated or planned the COVID-19 pandemic in 2010, rather than creating an imaginary pandemic in 2012 is unconvincing.
Operation Lockstep provided an accurate depiction of events during the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than creating a fictional storyline with significant deviations from reality.
Claiming that Operation Lockstep revealed the Rockefeller Foundation or other global elites’ ultimate objective was to impose a totalitarian world order rather than explore how different political systems might respond to an emergency is an absurd claim.
Some versions of the conspiracy theory also included aspects that were unrelated to the original report, such as:
Claim that Operation Lockstep was part of “The Rockefeller Playbook” or “The New World Order“, two loose terms commonly used by conspiracy theorists to refer to various schemes by powerful groups to control humanity.
Operation Lockstep involved additional actors or factors besides the Rockefeller Foundation, such as Bill Gates, Anthony Fauci, 5G technology or vaccines.
Operation Lockstep included three stages or phases, which corresponded with various aspects of COVID-19 pandemic or its response measures.
Operation Lockstep was widely promoted through social media outlets like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, alternative media websites and blogs, as well as prominent figures including those listed below who actively promoted or endorsed it:
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is an anti-vaccine activist and nephew of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
David Icke is a British conspiracy theorist who believes that reptilian aliens secretly rule over our world.
Alex Jones is a popular American conspiracy theorist who operates Infowars website.
Naomi Wolf is an American author and former political advisor who has emerged as a staunch critic of COVID-19 lockdowns.
Why does Operation Lockstep fail to deliver?
Operation Lockstep is not valid because its foundation lies in a misinterpretation or manipulation of an official document which was not intended to predict or plan anything; rather it was simply used as part of a scenario-planning exercise which explored four possible futures for technology and development – it didn’t reveal any hidden agenda from Rockefeller Foundation or any other entities involved.
Operation Lockstep differs significantly from reality in many ways; for instance:
COVID-19 first emerged as an epidemic in late 2019 in China – not in 2012 from wild geese as has been suggested in various media accounts.
As of November 20211, COVID-19 had killed more than five million people worldwide compared to 8 million as suggested by Lock Step.
The COVID-19 pandemic has not generated an equal or uniform response by governments or societies worldwide. While some nations have instituted restrictive lockdowns or mask mandates, others have taken more relaxed or varied approaches; there has also been significant variance within nations depending on local conditions or preferences.
The COVID-19 pandemic has not resulted in widespread authoritarianism or nationalism. While certain countries may have experienced political instability or social unrest due to it, others have seen increased cooperation or solidarity as well as evidence of increasing demand for democracy and human rights amid this crisis.
The COVID-19 pandemic has not caused irreparable harm to global trade or tourism. While both sectors have seen severe losses due to travel restrictions and reduced demand, they have shown signs of recovery or adaptation and there have been attempts at international cooperation and coordination on issues like vaccine distribution or climate change mitigation.
FAQs: The Ultimate guide to your questions
Q. Who is behind Operation Lockstep?
A: No one is behind Operation Lockstep because it is an imaginary scenario presented by the Rockefeller Foundation and Global Business Network in 2010. Their 2010 report explored how various factors might reshape our world over the next 15-20 years and explored ways technology might address global challenges.
Q: What is the purpose of Operation Lockstep?
A: As Operation Lockstep isn’t a real operation or plan, there is no real purpose. Instead it was one of four scenarios presented in a 2010 report by Rockefeller Foundation and Global Business Network that are simply thoughtful hypotheses designed to allow us to imagine different strategies for being better prepared for future developments or shaping better futures ourselves.
Q: How can we stop Operation Lockstep?
A: No need to discontinue Operation Lockstep as it’s not a real operation or plan; rather it is one of four scenarios presented in a 2010 report by Rockefeller Foundation and Global Business Network. According to that report, scenarios aren’t meant as predictions or recommendations but as hypothetical hypotheses to allow us to consider different strategies on how we might become better prepared for the future – or, even more ambitiously, help shape better ones ourselves.
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