Deception Recognition: Rethinking the Operational Commander's Approach

Abstract

The United States today is generally seen as the predominant world superpower because of its economic, political, and military might. Consequently any state or non-state actor at odds with United States policy or strategy is likely to plan and utilize deception as part of an asymmetrical approach to conflict or manipulation against the operational commander. How the operational commander plans for it, and protects against it, should be paramount in the day-to-day implementation of the theater commanders` strategy. This paper explores the operational commander`s vulnerability to this threat. It will define the scope of deception as it is understood today and will identify weaknesses in military deception doctrine and theory. It will explore current counterdeception theory and practice and discuss potential counterarguments that may be made. Finally, the paper draws conclusions concerning the recognition of adversary deception as a critical component of military deception practice and implementation and how it should be operationally addressed.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 27, 2010
Accession Number
ADA535598

Entities

People

  • Denver E. Mcpherson

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Chemical Weapons
  • Cognition
  • Doctrine
  • Information Operations
  • Military History
  • Military Operations
  • New York
  • Psychology
  • Recognition
  • Security
  • United States
  • United States Central Command
  • United States European Command
  • United States Pacific Command
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare
  • Weapons Of Mass Destruction

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Strategic Security Studies