Page 13 - JDPA Volume 02, Issue 02

Journal of Defence & Policy Analysis Volume 02, Issue 02, December 2023

THE STRATEGIC DIMENSIONS OF INFORMATION
WARFARE AND SECURITY AMID THE PREVALENCE

OF DISINFORMATION

Mr. Nitin A Gokhale,
Editor In Chief, Stratnewsglobal.in

Introduction

Mr. Gokhale delivered an insightful session on the strategic dimensions of in-
formation warfare and security amid the prevalence of disinformation. His dis-
course highlighted the evolving landscape of information warfare, emphasizing
its increasing significance as a tool employed by both state and non-state actors
to influence decision-making processes.

Strategic dimensions of information warfare

Mr. Gokhale began by acknowledging the shifting norms of warfare, where dis-
information and misinformation have become pivotal weapons. These tools are
often deployed by so-called “information warriors,” likened to missiles aimed at
confusing populations and engaging adversaries. He emphasized that the mod-
ern battlefield is no longer confined to physical terrains but extends into the in-
formation space, where battles for perception and truth are waged.

Real-world examples

Drawing on real-world examples, Mr. Gokhale referenced the ongoing conflict in
Ukraine. He highlighted how Russian-speaking individuals in eastern Ukraine
have been targeted with disinformation campaigns designed to sow confusion
and shape perceptions in favour of Russian interests. This example illustrated
the effectiveness of disinformation in contemporary conflicts, where the line be-
tween war and peace is increasingly blurred.

Purpose and challenges of disinformation

The speaker elaborated on the dual purpose of disinformation to confuse popula-
tions and keep adversaries engaged. Once an information space is occupied with
false narratives, countering such information becomes a formidable challenge.

Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka
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