Comments on: From Information operations to cyber warfare and a new terrain

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:43:33 +0000

“As far as infringement through OODA I would see the use of mass hysteria campaigns and other fear mongering tactics specifically targeted at getting inside the loop of decision makers. In some ways the tight control of media in the BP oil well fiasco has been about keeping the public OUT of the BP oil companies OODA loop. ”

I would argue that the media coverage of the BP oil “spill” has actually been designed to deliberately push the public, and thereby representative politicians, into a decision tree that creates an environment more friendly to sweeping new domestic Carbon tax legislation.

By: sam

sam — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:55:24 +0000

When discussing the American public you have to be careful on what “public” means. The use of populations as a wedge to incite change or control over governments is a basic tenet of war as we have seen from insurgency through high intensity conflict. As far as infringement through OODA I would see the use of mass hysteria campaigns and other fear mongering tactics specifically targeted at getting inside the loop of decision makers. In some ways the tight control of media in the BP oil well fiasco has been about keeping the public OUT of the BP oil companies OODA loop. So, that they could operate at their decision pace rather than a publics pace.

As in Joint Vision 2020, and other publications like the JP2-13 domestic operations have obviously been part of possible actions by the military. Posse Commitatus not withstanding, the military has always said that it could and will operate domestically if required. Smith-Mundt is one barrier (being eroded currently) to insure that propaganda is not used against civilian populations.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 03:55:48 +0000

How do we ensure that the adversary does not include the American public? Hence, how does the American public defend itself from the OODA infringement, 0r ensure that it is not a target in the first place?

JV2020 is quite clear that domestic operations are on the table.

By: sam

sam — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:15:47 +0000

I definitely think that being within the OODA loop of the adversary using information operations well beyond the normal espionage using technology is a bonus. When applying this to Xgen warfare the case becomes even stronger.

By: Arherring

Arherring — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:09:59 +0000

When thinking of Fifth Gradient Warfare, which is in many ways an expression of information warfare across a very broad spectrum, I most often come from the viewpoint of figure 1.a. Psyops, media, ect. are the vectors or the leverage I consider when choosing how to manipulate the information available to a particular target or group of targets in order that they will think and behave in a particular manner.

In this sense the information that I influence affects the actions of the target in whatever physical terrain they are operating in. I believe this is still kinetic, yet the kinetics aspects are dispersed instead of concentrated. I am inside their OODA loop manipulating the what and the way they are Observing. The goal is for them not to be aware of the manipulation, but even if they are, they must still act in the manner that they believe best benefits themselves at that time, based on the best information that they have. Otherwise they fall prey to the wheels within wheels circular logic that leads to paralysis.

Great food for thought.