Psychological warfare involves the planned use of propaganda and other psychological operations to influence the opinions, emotions, attitudes, and behavior of opposition groups. RAND has studied military information support operations (MISO) in many countries and war zones and has provided objective and supportable recommendations to policymakers on methods and tactics to employ or defend against these operations.
REPORT
An analysis of U.S. military information operations and psychological operations in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2010 finds the efforts grew less successful over time, as disenchantment with foreign occupation grew. The most notable shortcoming was the inability to sufficiently counter the Taliban propaganda campaign against U.S. and coalition forces on the theme of civilian casualties.
RESEARCH BRIEF
This research brief offers an overview of the effectiveness of U.S. psychological operations in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2010, with particular attention to how well messages and themes were tailored to target audiences.
NEWS RELEASE
The efforts of U.S. military information operations and psychological operations in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2010 grew less successful over time, as disenchantment with foreign occupation grew.
REPORT
Study of NATO Strategic Communications and relevance for France. Looks at: definition, objectives, scope, terminology, command structure, resources. Concludes concept is relevant to France in crisis situations and offers ways to implement it.
REPORT
Study of NATO Strategic Communications and relevance for France. Looks at: definition, objectives, scope, terminology, command structure, resources. Concludes concept is relevant to France in crisis situations and offers ways to implement it.
RESEARCH BRIEF
This research brief summarizes a RAND report that analyzes insurgencies such as those in Afghanistan and Iraq and calls for a major shift in investment priorities to give the United States the capabilities it needs for effective counterinsurgency.
NEWS RELEASE
RAND Recommends U.S. Military Adopt Consumer Marketing Strategies to Reach Iraqi and Afghan Civilians.
RESEARCH BRIEF
This research brief summarizes a study that examined successes from the commercial marketing industry and how those lessons might assist U.S. and coalition forces to improve shaping campaigns during stability operations.
NEWS RELEASE
April 12, 2007 news release: Obituary: RAND Analyst Konrad Kellen Helped Explain Motivation of Terrorists and Other U.S. Foes.
REPORT
When Algerian nationalists launched a rebellion against French rule in November 1954, France was forced to cope with a varied and adaptable Algerian strategy. In this volume, originally published in 1963, David Galula reconstructs the story of his highly successful command at the height of the rebellion. This groundbreaking work, with a new foreword by Bruce Hoffman, remains relevant to present-day counterinsurgency operations.
COMMENTARY
Published commentary by RAND staff: Lessons for Intelligence in the Campaign Against al Qaeda, in Vanguard magazine.
JOURNAL ARTICLE
Describes the psychological consequences of terrorism and outlinesstrategies for dealing with them.
COMMENTARY
Published commentary by RAND staff.
REPORT
U.S. government decisionmakers face a number of challenges as they attempt to form policies that aim to dissuade terrorists from attacking the United States, divert youths from joining terrorist groups, and persuade the leaders of states and nongovernmental institutions to withhold support for terrorists. The successes or failures of such policies and campaigns have long-lasting effects. The findings of this research help U.S.…
REPORT
In every operation, the functions of command, control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and communications are all fundamental to success. But in cities, the dense population, many manmade structures, and other challenges act to severely impede these functions in several ways. This monograph contemplates the nature of those challenges and proposes several recommendations to surmount them in both the short and longer…
COMMENTARY
Published commentary by RAND staff.
REPORT
This issue paper describes some of the major challenges that the psychological consequences of a bioterror attack will pose, and proposes specific strategies for dealing effectively with those challenges.
COMMENTARY
Published commentary by RAND staff.
REPORT
Examines the social and psychological aspects of foreign and counterterrorism policymaking processes and presents common psychological biases that affect how we understand the behavior of foreign actors and substate terrorist groups. Using three illustrative historical case studies, the author demonstrates how often-imperceptible psychological biases affected the actors involved and suggests that counter-bias strategies might have led to…
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