Information Operations and Asymmetric Warfare...Are We Ready?
Abstract
Events of Sept 11th, 2001 have made clear one inescapable fact. Because of rapid advances in technology, particularly in the information arena, global communications now enable us to hear and see first hand issues, events and concerns from around the world. These in turn raise passions and compel people to rethink their own closely held beliefs, prejudices and hatreds, and in some cases morphing into actions such as espionage, sabotage or terrorism. Information Operations and future Asymmetric Warfare will have a major impact on the U.S. Army's ability to remain a viable warfighting entity as well as our simple survivability against future adversaries. Currently, the Army's Field Manual FM 100-6 (dated August 1996) is the most up-to-date guide on Information Operations available to the rank and file field soldier and leader. While at the same time, the Army's newest doctrinal publications, FM-I and FM 3-0, address the Army's future in terms of who we are, what we do, how we do it today, tomorrow, jointly and within the full spectrum of operations that is the asymmetric warfare environment. It is, therefore, tantamount that our policies and future Army vision ensure Information Operations as a tool against asymmetric warfare remain on the forefront of Army strategic planning.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 09, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA402007
Entities
People
- Lawarren V. Patterson
Organizations
- United States Army War College