Transcript Information Operations

Information Operations:
Accessing the Skeptics
Communicating with Skeptical Audiences:
Challenges and Solutions
16-17 October 2003
Steven J. Iatrou
Naval Postgraduate School
Monterey, California
Definitions
Information Operations
Actions taken to affect adversary information and
information systems while defending one’s own
information and information systems.
Information Warfare
Information Operations conducted during time of crisis
or conflict to achieve or promote specific objectives
over a specific adversary or adversaries
Communicating with Skeptical Audiences:
Challenges and Solutions
16-17 October 2003
Slide 2
Why IO?
 Winning battles and wars
 Ability to fight vs. Will to fight
 Iraq (ability? will?)
 Afghanistan (ability? will?)
 Will: The mental faculty by which one
deliberately chooses or decides on a
course of action
Communicating with Skeptical Audiences:
Challenges and Solutions
16-17 October 2003
Slide 3
IO Goals




Target the human decisionmaking process
Slow the adversary’s operational tempo
Disrupt adversary plans
Disrupt the adversary’s ability to focus
power
 Influence the adversary’s estimate of the
situation
Communicating with Skeptical Audiences:
Challenges and Solutions
16-17 October 2003
Slide 4
Psychological Operations
 Actions taken to convey selected information and
indicators to foreign audiences.
 Influence emotions, motives, reasoning, and
ultimately behavior
 Truth projection
Communicating with Skeptical Audiences:
Challenges and Solutions
16-17 October 2003
Slide 5
Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Principles
(Challenges)
Clearly Defined Mission
Thorough Analysis of Targets
Evaluate PSYOP Effects of Military Actions
Proper Transmission Medium/Media
Rapid Exploitation
Feedback
Communicating with Skeptical Audiences:
Challenges and Solutions
16-17 October 2003
Slide 6
PSYOP Principles
(Challenges)
Clearly Defined Mission
 The Secretary of Defense normally delegates PSYOP product approval to the
supported combatant commander. This does not mean that the supported combatant
commander also has been delegated approval for PSYOP product dissemination.
 Two levels of product approval:
Themes and messages: OSD
Products: Unclear. Situation dependent; can be delegated to the JTF Commander.
 4th POG (Psychological Operations Group): Not well integrated into the planning
process.
 PSYOP not well integrated with the Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy missions
Communicating with Skeptical Audiences:
Challenges and Solutions
16-17 October 2003
Slide 7
PSYOP Principles
(Challenges)
Thorough Analysis of Targets
Product disseminators access to POWs and cultural experts
Evaluate PSYOP Effects of Military Actions
Theme and product approval authorities must closely monitor actions at the
tactical level (and the reactions to them)
Proper Transmission Medium/Media
Trusted medium for the chosen theme/message
Communicating with Skeptical Audiences:
Challenges and Solutions
16-17 October 2003
Slide 8
PSYOP Principles
(Challenges)
Rapid Exploitation
Alter message, medium, or theme based on evolving attitudes
Feedback
Can’t to that without this!
Communicating with Skeptical Audiences:
Challenges and Solutions
16-17 October 2003
Slide 9
PSYOP Principles
(Solutions)
• Establish in country authority to rapidly adjust themes based on changing situations
• Establish measurable target conditions associated with approved themes
• Develop “if-then” scenarios for anticipated reactions to PYSOP messages/products
(positive, negative and neutral)
• Continuous coordination (embedded liaison officers) between DoS & DoD in country
to determine delta between desired end-state and current situation
• Single PSYOP planning team for theater including product dissemination experts (4 th
POG) and Public Affairs personnel
• Establish direct feedback mechanism from the field to the “planning team” to enable
rapid exploitation of situation
• Continuous level of activity to develop and maintain channels (Face-to-face)
• Constant target research and analysis
Communicating with Skeptical Audiences:
Challenges and Solutions
16-17 October 2003
Slide 10