Cognitive Warfare: Insights from Seven Years of Military-Civilian Research
Attacking the enemy’s thought processes is not a new idea; the techniques developed by Soviet disinformation experts offer clear and well-documented examples. However, due to the complexity and resources required, these practices resembled artisanal work rather than mass production and were considered a secondary form of disinformation.
At the start of the 21st century, advances in neuroscience and a deeper understanding of brain function suggested that cognitive processes could now be targeted more scientifically. In 2017, the term «cognitive warfare» was introduced by Vincent Stewart, director of the US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), although it was initially more of a buzzword than a rigorously defined concept.
By late 2018, «cognitive warfare» remained a convenient expression covering various forms of informational and psychological manipulation. The term was gaining traction in academic circles and often appeared alongside references to science fiction or cybernetics.
“Cognitive warfare: what seven years of military-civilian research reveals – Read the column on Polytechnique Insights.”
Advances in technology have shifted cognitive warfare from niche tactics to a subject of serious scientific inquiry, merging psychological manipulation with complex information strategies.
Summary: Seven years of research reveal that cognitive warfare, once a secondary tactic, is now recognized as a scientifically informed approach to manipulating enemy thought processes through advanced neuroscience and psychological methods.