IN THE NEWS
Thanks to ZenPundit for pointing out this de-classified version of the Department of Defense's 2003 document outlining its "Information Operations Roadmap," which includes everything from normal C3I issues through psychological operations (PSYOPS). It's a very interesting peek into the Pentagon's view of the information battlefield.
While it's always good to know that the DoD is preparing to protect communications flows during wartime, the document isn't exactly comforting. Its content and tone reflects the Net-Centric Initiative, which conforms to the Pentagon's preference for conventional warfare. The Roadmap describes a generic approach to defeating a generic adversary: while we are trying to protect the flow of information during wartime, we're trying to choke off the enemy's. While we're keeping the decision-making process humming along, we're trying to tie the enemy's leadership in knots. There's a heavy emphasis on technology, which defense contractors at this upcoming Net-Centric Strategy conference are quick to position themselves as the providers of this technology. The Net-Centric Strategy has spawned innumerable computer-based projects, as this directive from the Assistant Secretary of Defense For Networks and Information Integration/Department of Defense Chief Information Officer (ASD(NII)/DoD CIO) implies. (Does that job title fit on just one business card?)
Unfortunately, most elements of the Information Operations Roadmap will be much less successful against terrorists and guerrillas than conventional military organizations like our own. Hezb-i-Islami, one of the groups fighting the Afghan government, uses cell phones and computers. However, these insurgents are far less concerned about magnetic pulse weapons than, say, our own armed forces might be. If you're looking for signs that "information operations" are designed with terrorists and guerrillas in mind, you'll have to look elsewhere.
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