PSYOP Operations in the 21st Century

Abstract

A revolution in Psychological Operations (PSYOP) will occur in the near future. The Internet will be the vehicle to enable a revolution in PSYOP and improve the capabilities of PSYOP to achieve objectives specified in the National Security Strategy (NSS). The paper is structured to support this thesis by first providing a detailed definition and description of PSYOP. Next the importance of communication techniques in developing PSYOP methods is described. The understanding gained from these sections is then used to emphasize how the Internet can revolutionize PSYOP. Reflex control was presented as a method of PSYOP for the future. Then, based on the knowledge presented in this paper, some recommendations are made on how the Internet could be used to revolutionize future PSYOP campaigns. PSYOP has been an essential element of warfare since ancient times. PSYOP will continue to be a key strategic weapon to provide the ways to accomplish the objectives specified in the NSS. As Napolean Bonaparte once said, "There are but two powers in the world, the sword and the mind. In the long run the sword is always beaten by the mind".

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 10, 2000
Accession Number
ADA378002

Entities

People

  • Gary L. Whitley

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Department Of Defense
  • Government (Foreign)
  • Governments
  • Human Behavior
  • Humanitarian Assistance
  • Information Operations
  • Information Systems
  • Internet
  • Military Operations
  • National Security
  • Psychological Operations
  • Security
  • Strategic Weapons
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Materials Science.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Systems Analysis and Design