Information Operations, Finding Success as Afghanistan Draws to a Close
Abstract
Information Operations (IO) has been a common focus when examining the successes and failures of the United States and its allies in their execution of both Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) over the course of the last decade. Strategic Communication (SC) and IO (at the operational level) have been applied with varying degrees of success but have not been decisive in the counterinsurgencies (COIN) that followed the end of major military operations. This lack of decisiveness drove then Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to initiate changes in both the definition and application of IO capabilities. Although there has been some degree of success, in order for the United States to withdraw from Afghanistan in 2013-2014 as announced by Secretary of Defense Panetta, a redoubled effort with a different focus is be needed to shape the information environment. The Joint ISAF Commander and his staff must exercise the new definition and application guidance to develop a decisive IO line of operation that will ensure the highest possible level of success leading up to the planned drawdown of U.S. forces. By focusing on IO as the central theme in the overall theater strategy in Afghanistan, the opportunity exists to successfully end the U.S. and ISAF mission in Afghanistan and successfully transition security responsibility to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Afghan National Security Forces.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 04, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA563888
Entities
People
- Frank W. Lazzara
Organizations
- Naval War College