More Than a Hand Shake: Synchronizing Public Affairs Operations with Information Operations in the 21st Century
Abstract
Unprecedented advancements in communication technology (i.e., higher quality, lower cost, and greater access) have greatly changed the way people (and nations) communicate in the 21st century. It takes little more than a laptop or cell phone today to publish information for public consumption. This provides both significant challenges and new opportunities for a U.S. military intent on achieving and maintaining information superiority. To be successful in such an environment, where the lines between commercial mass media and independent private-personal media are increasingly blurred, will require greater integration and synchronization of all elements of information warfare. However, joint Public Affairs (PA) doctrine hardly acknowledges the mere existence of Information Operations (IO), while joint IO doctrine simply characterizes PA as a "related capability." This shortcoming represents a significant gap in military doctrine that must be filled if U.S. commanders at the operational level of war hope to maintain information superiority in the 21st century. This paper will examine expanding PA roles and responsibilities at the operational level of war to better synchronize PA activities with complementary IO activities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 31, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA494323
Entities
People
- Brendan C. Mcpherson
Organizations
- Naval War College