[xnull]

To some degree.

The US government nudges public opinion (Fallujah PsyOp, Judith Miller, Ken Dilanian, operation MOCKINGBIRD, purposeful placement of objective aligned messages on international media lines, "Heroes in Error", partners with astroturfing services/HBGary).

It breeds capabilities to influence individuals and groups (NSA JTRIG, GCHQ BIRDSONG/BADGER/GATEWAY/SLIPSTREAM/ETC, MINERVA) and will wield capabilities to track and target information to groups in limited circumstances ("The Cave").

It also will quiet groups, even if they are domestic, that significantly challenge the stability or justifiability of the nation/system/structure (COINTELPRO, MINARET, Fusion Centers).