I imagine most people know this, but for those who may not be aware, colors in my title refers to the flags flown by maritime vessels to proclaim their nationality (wherever their vessel is registered). Back in the Age of Sail, it was considered in wartime a legitimate stratagem for a warship to fly the flag of a different nation (such as a neutral) – false colors – to lure an unsuspecting enemy in range, as long as the proper flag – true colors – was hoisted before commencing hostilities.1 (Otherwise it was counter to the laws of war and amounted to piracy.) This behavior (I suspect) also gave rise to the term “false flag operation.”
I use true colors here in several ways… Keep reading…
