By Rana Danish Nisar
New combat styles have emerged in recent times. Non-traditional tactics involving information, persuasion, and perception can replace conventional military battles. Scholars and the public have become more interested in “wisdom warfare.”
The new strategic approach of “wisdom warfare” aims to affect future outcomes and achieve immediate military goals..Rapid technological innovation, information accessibility, and hybrid dangers are the main causes. Intelligent combatants use their opponents’ knowledge and strategic planning gaps to achieve their goals without physical assault.
Strategic planning and peaceful methods can create lasting change. However, one must recognise that given sufficient evidence and convincing arguments, attitudes and actions may be changed. It is crucial to stress that the concept of “wisdom warfare” does not replace conventional modes of conflict in today’s day where physical battle is influenced by psychological and cultural factors..However, it should be noted that this approach serves as a supplementary tactic to conventional forms of conflict resolution.
Wisdom warfare can be characterized as a type of political battle wherein one faction asserts its possession of superior and comprehensive knowledge or information compared to its adversaries. The purpose can be achieved by manipulating the dissemination of information, disseminating misleading information, and utilizing other propaganda techniques. Wise soldiers on the battlefield refrain from resorting to violence wherever possible. They rely instead on psychological methods to affect the minds and actions of their foes, friends, and the public. Wisdom warfare is distinct from other types of combat because it strategically uses knowledge and power to exploit the opponent’s weaknesses and strengths, giving it an unfair advantage over them.
Wisdom warfare refers to the practice of employing a wide range of strategies to achieve one’s military objectives. One of these methods is called “psychological operations” (PSYOPS), while others include “cyber operations,” “misinformation tactics,” and “narrative framing.”
With the development of the internet and other forms of digital communication, wisdom warfare has become a worldwide phenomenon. This means that different groups can now influence events and change public opinion outside of their physical borders. When making strategic choices, knowledge fighters often use ways to make sure they don’t look bad. When trying to figure out who did what in a single event, this methodical technique makes it very hard to find specific people or countries.
The intentional dissemination of inaccurate or deceptive information with the aim of influencing public sentiment, creating uncertainty, and eroding confidence in institutions or opponents. Psychological operations (PSYOPS) encompass the utilization of strategic psychological maneuvers to exert influence over the cognitive processes, affective states, and behavioral patterns of individuals or collectives, frequently employing techniques such as propaganda, deceit, and persuasion.
The act of influencing the portrayal of an issue or dispute in a manner that aligns with one’s own perspective and objectives. This can encompass the selective emphasis of certain factual details while minimizing others, constructing a distinct narrative framework, or employing persuasive techniques to evoke emotional responses.
The utilization of cyber attacks, hacking, and information warfare to impede vital infrastructure, pilfer confidential information, or influence digital systems can yield significant psychological and strategic ramifications. Utilizing social media platforms as a means to distribute propaganda, partake in online trolling, and affect public conversation. Utilizing cultural diplomacy, educational exchanges, and the dissemination of one’s culture and ideals to exercise influence and cultivate favorable perceptions on the international platform.
The phenomenon of wisdom warfare has the potential to undermine the confidence placed in institutions, governments, and the media, hence posing a challenge for societies in discerning between trustworthy information and disinformation. Democracies are susceptible to the phenomenon of wisdom warfare owing to the inherent characteristics of their transparent information ecosystems. The dissemination of false or misleading information through disinformation operations has the potential to undermine political processes and undermine the strength of democratic institutions.
The phenomenon of wisdom warfare has the potential to facilitate the globalization of conflicts, enabling both state and non-state actors to extend their influence and pursue their goals on a global scale, without relying on conventional military deployments. The utilization of disinformation and cyber-attacks in the context of strategic information warfare gives rise to ethical and legal concerns pertaining to the regulations governing military operations and the responsibility of both governmental and non-governmental entities involved. In order to effectively combat the phenomenon of wisdom warfare, it is imperative for societies to develop strategies that promote resistance against disinformation, bolster media literacy, and allocate resources towards the enhancement of cyber-security measures.
The concept of wisdom warfare is a dynamic manifestation of conflict that acknowledges the significance of information, perception, and influence in molding the conduct and choices of nations. The concept comprises a variety of tactics and methods that are designed to achieve a competitive edge over opponents in the realm of cognition. The fundamental elements of wisdom warfare encompass psychological operations (PSYOPS), misinformation campaigns, cyber warfare, and the manipulation of public opinion. Psychological operations play a pivotal role in the strategic implementation of psychological tactics in warfare. Psychological tactics are employed to exert influence over the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of both people and groups.
By focusing on adversary populations, the utilization of psychological operations (PSYOPS) by military professionals, namely decision-makers, has the potential to undermine the determination and unity of an opposing force. Psychological operations were utilized by the United States during the Gulf War that took place from 1990 to 1991, against Iraqi soldiers. A noteworthy strategy employed involved the utilization of loudspeakers to disseminate messages to Iraqi military personnel, effectively persuading a considerable number of them to opt for surrendering to the coalition troops as the most secure course of action.
The presence of psychological pressure had a pivotal role in facilitating a notable quantity of defections and surrenders, hence resulting in a notable decline in the strength of the Iraqi military. Disinformation campaigns encompass the deliberate spread of inaccurate or deceptive information with the intention of misleading and perplexing adversaries. These tactics strategically capitalize on weaknesses within the adversary’s information ecology, resulting in the disruption of order, the promotion of conflict, and the gradual erosion of confidence in authoritative sources of information.
The campaign waged by Russia during the conquest of Crimea in 2014 is a clear example: the campaign undertaken was aimed at legitimizing Russia’s activities while simultaneously misinforming and inducing confusion within Ukraine and the global community. Cyber warfare encompasses the utilization of digital instruments to infiltrate, disrupt, or compromise the information systems of an opposing entity. The aforementioned attacks have the capability to specifically target crucial infrastructure, governmental entities, or military networks, resulting in significant harm and the propagation of disorder.
The Stuxnet cyberattack that occurred in 2010 against Iran’s nuclear facilities has been extensively documented in academic literature. Stuxnet, widely speculated to be a collaborative endeavor between the United States and Israel, was designed to disrupt Iran’s nuclear programme by employing a sophisticated form of malware to compromise centrifuge equipment. The aforementioned clandestine operation effectively hindered Iran’s pursuit of nuclear capabilities and showcased the efficacy of cyber warfare in undermining the operational capacities of a hostile nation.
The concept of wisdom warfare encompasses the strategic manipulation of public opinion within adversary nations. Through the manipulation of narratives and perceptions, there exists the potential to erode societal cohesion, intensify internal differences, and diminish the credibility of governmental institutions. The promotion of media literacy and the cultivation of critical thinking abilities are crucial in enabling individuals to effectively differentiate between reliable information and deception.
The integration of media literacy programmes into formal education has the potential to cultivate a culture that is more resilient to manipulation. The establishment of autonomous fact-checking organizations can play a crucial role in the verification of information and the identification of misleading narratives. Advocating for media outlets and social media platforms to implement the labeling or removal of fraudulent content can effectively curtail its dissemination. It is imperative for governments and technology corporations to uphold transparency in relation to their content filtering and advertising practices.
Accountability mechanisms, such as the implementation of regulatory control and the imposition of sanctions for the dissemination of false information, have the potential to discourage and dissuade malevolent actors from engaging in such activities. The establishment of collaboration among governmental entities, international organizations, technology corporations, and civil society is of paramount importance. The effectiveness of countermeasures can be enhanced by the sharing of best practices, threat intelligence, and the coordination of responses. Enhancing cyber-security protocols can effectively safeguard vital infrastructure and information systems against cyber-attacks that facilitate strategic information warfare.
The utilization of end-to-end encryption and the establishment of secure communication channels have the potential to effectively limit the risks associated with eavesdropping and data tampering. Governments and civil society organizations have the capacity to initiate public awareness campaigns aimed at educating citizens regarding the strategies and goals associated with wisdom warfare. These programmes have the potential to promote ethical online conduct and the reporting of potentially dubious content. It is imperative for technology businesses to accord priority to the advancement of ethical artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that foster content diversity and mitigate the prevalence of echo chambers.
The implementation of algorithms that prioritize the promotion of high-quality material above sensationalism can serve as an effective measure to mitigate the dissemination of incorrect information. It is imperative for governments to have comprehensive crisis communication strategies in order to effectively address the dissemination of disinformation during times of crises and catastrophes. The provision of timely and accurate information has the potential to alleviate feelings of panic and bewilderment.
Diplomatic endeavors aimed at establishing international standards and agreements pertaining to responsible conduct in the realm of cyberspace have the potential to deter acts of state-sponsored cyber warfare. These agreements may incorporate clauses pertaining to refraining from interfering in the information ecosystems of other nations. Civil society organizations (CSOs) have a pivotal role in the surveillance and revelation of disinformation operations. These organizations have the potential to engage in collaborative efforts with technology corporations, governments, and international entities in order to effectively address the issue of wisdom warfare.
Although it is crucial to implement the aforementioned remedies, there are various problems associated with tackling wisdom warfare. Countermeasures ought to refrain from encroaching upon the rightful exercise of freedom of expression and should uphold democratic principles. Attributing disinformation efforts to individual actors or nations poses a frequent challenge, hence impeding the implementation of precise and focused remedies. The phenomenon of wisdom warfare often transcends national boundaries, hence requiring the imperative of international collaboration and coordination. Adversaries demonstrate a rapid ability to adjust and respond to countermeasures, hence requiring a continuous need for innovative techniques in response.
Wisdom warfare is an emerging paradigm of combat in the contemporary era, when traditional means of engagement involving physical force and weaponry are supplanted by strategies centered around the manipulation of information, exertion of influence, and management of perception.
The current shift in paradigm necessitates a reassessment of established security doctrines and the formulation of novel measures to effectively address and minimize the impacts of cognitive warfare. In an era characterized by growing global interconnectivity and digitalization, the capacity to effectively navigate the intricate dynamics of information and exert influence will play a crucial role in determining the security and stability of states and the overall global framework.
Author: Rana Danish Nisar – International Independent Security, Defense, Military, contemporary warfare and Digital-International Relations analyst.
(The views expressed in this article belong only to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Geostrategic Insights)
Image Credit: AFP/ Philippe Huguen.