Author(s): Marian Ștefan / Language(s): Romanian
Issue: 1/2023
The multidimensionality of the current operational environment is a given by the number and quality and characteristics of various actors: state actors, non-state actors, sponsor states, as well as multiple threats manifested in the physical environment with a conventional character (conventional military forces), non-conventional (nuclear forces, special operations forces, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons - CBRN and industrial toxic materials - ITM, improvised explosive devices - IED), asymmetric (guerrillas, insurgent and separatist groups, terrorist organizations or self-radicalized individuals and criminal organizations) and cyber (virtual, informational environments), all engaged in a combined and coordinated battle against an adversary with superior military means and capabilities.Influence, disinformation and psychological operations have been part of modern military strategies for decades. The malign use of information to intoxicate and manipulate the enemy, or to impact the civilian population, increased in the second half of the 20th century, especially in the context of new forms of hybrid warfare, and proved to contribute greatly to the political victories of various state and non-state actors. In addition to classical methods and tools, technological development has brought major changes with the acceleration of communication through the use of virtual space and social media platforms forming a whole new battle space, called the informational environment.
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