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Information Operations

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Information operations and warfare, also known as influence operations, includes the collection of tactical information about an adversary as well as the dissemination of propaganda in pursuit of a competitive advantage over an opponent. RAND research has enabled military leaders and policymakers to develop strategies and policy frameworks to address the challenges of these military operations.

Report
Russia's Evolving Use of Information Confrontation
Information confrontation is the use of offensive or defensive informational means to achieve political, economic, or military objectives. Russian strategy likens information weapons with weapons of mass destruction since both have the potential to reshape the international system. The Ukraine experience offers insights into Russia's tactics.
Aug 18, 2022
Commentary
Could K-Pop Help Deter Kim Jong-un's Provocations?
The United States and Republic of Korea could be more specific and creative in seeking to deter Kim Jong-un. The global popularity of K-Pop could be part of the strategy.
Oct 11, 2022

Explore Information Operations

Journal Article
Conspiracy Theories Have Much in Common. Their Differences May Hold the Key to Identifying When They Turn Violent.
RAND/Google collaboration to improve machine learning models to detect and understand the rhetorical functions of conspiracy theories over social media.
Dec 22, 2021
Report
A Guide to Extreme Competition with China
The U.S.-China competitive dynamic is at a critical crossroads. What realistic, actionable policy options should U.S. policymakers consider in developing effective strategies for this competition?
Dec 1, 2021
Blog
News Manipulation, the Risk of Civil War, Russia and Ukraine: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on tracking news manipulation during the pandemic, the threat of another civil war, preventing health insurance loss, and more.
Nov 19, 2021
Commentary
Reining in COVID-19 Disinformation from China, Russia, and Elsewhere
During the pandemic, misinformation and conspiracy theories have spread more virulently than ever before. The vast scale of the problem means scalable solutions like machine learning could be needed to rein in the bots, trolls, and conspiracy theories being spread by bad-faith actors.
Nov 19, 2021
Tool
Command Narrative Smart Guide
This quick reference provides the big-picture basics for successful command narrative development and deployment.
Nov 15, 2021
Report
Tracking News Manipulation by Malicious State Actors
During the pandemic, both Russia and China used authoritarian power over the media to manipulate the news. What can be done to better detect such propaganda campaigns—and guard against them in the future?
Nov 15, 2021
Report
Developing, Disseminating, and Assessing Command Narrative
In the contemporary era marked by informational competition, one of the most important activities of a strategic or operational command is the development, presentation, and support of the command's narratives. What are some best practices for the effective use of command narrative?
Nov 15, 2021
Report
Analysis of Russian Irregular Threats
The authors of this report describe strategic global trends related to Russian global influence and behavior and provide an overview and assessment of hostile activities that Russia has undertaken in the face of these trends.
Nov 8, 2021
Report
Countering Russia: The Role of Special Operations Forces in Strategic Competition
This report establishes a strategic framework for U.S. Army special operations forces support to countering Russian activities in the competition space.
Nov 8, 2021
Report
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Public Communication Campaigns and Their Implications for Strategic Competition with Russia
The authors examine evidence on the effectiveness of campaigns to influence public opinion in target populations -- sometimes referred to as "information warfare" -- in the context of strategic competition between the United States and Russia.
Nov 8, 2021
Brochure
Select RAND Research on China: 1999-2019
This volume is an important resource for anyone who is interested in gaining an informed understanding of China, a major strategic competitor of the United States in the economic, technological, diplomatic, and security realms.
Oct 7, 2021
Brochure
Select RAND Research on Counterinsurgency, Stability Operations, Support to Foreign Internal Defense, Nation-Building, and Special Operations: 1962-2019
This volume is an important resource for those interested in gaining an informed understanding of a persistent, though usually low-level, military threat to U.S. security.
Oct 7, 2021
Brochure
Select RAND Research on Security Cooperation: 2006-2019
This volume is a resource for those interested in gaining an informed understanding of security cooperation, a term that refers to the variety of activities that the United States undertakes to strengthen its military partners and partnerships.
Oct 7, 2021
Brochure
Select RAND Research on the Information Environment: 2014-2020
This volume is an important resource for anyone who is interested in gaining an informed understanding of operations in the information environment.
Oct 7, 2021
Tool
Handbook for Tactical Operations in the Information Environment
With its quick-reference format and series of illustrative vignettes, this handbook facilitates problem-solving and highlights how early-career officers in tactical units can contribute to operations in the information environment.
Oct 4, 2021
Report
Leveraging Complexity in Great-Power Competition and Warfare: Volume I
The United States should aim to minimize the element of complexity for itself while maximizing it for its adversary in great-power competition and warfare. But what does complexity mean in an Air Force context? And how can it be used as a method of attack?
Aug 26, 2021
Report
Leveraging Complexity in Great-Power Competition and Warfare: Volume II
The Air Force should apply a complexity lens through which to review ongoing and future efforts to best leverage complexity to U.S. decision advantage. The technical companion to an initial exploration includes a literature review and a user manual.
Aug 26, 2021
Tool
The Information Warfighter Exercise Wargame: Rulebook
This document presents the full ruleset for the Information Warfighter Exercise Wargame, which is used by the Marine Corps to provide training for aspects of operations in the information environment.
Aug 24, 2021
Blog
Insights on Afghanistan, Back to School, North Korea: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on the collapse in Afghanistan, what parents think about sending kids back to school, insights from game theory on North Korean denuclearization, and more.
Aug 20, 2021
Report
Countering Russia's Malign and Subversive Information Efforts
Information aggression is increasing in frequency and intensity. Russia uses messaging and intimidation in its efforts to influence multiple actors and countries. As frequent targets, how can the United States and its European allies defend themselves?
Aug 16, 2021

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RAND Topic:
Information Operations

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Todd C. Helmus

Senior Behavioral Scientist

Todd Helmus is a senior behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation and a nationally recognized expert on disinformation and violent extremism. He specializes in the use of data and evidence-based strategies to understand and counter disinformation and extremism. He has studied the…
Amanda Kerrigan

Policy Researcher

Amanda Kerrigan is a policy researcher at the RAND corporation. She was previously a research scientist in the China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division at CNA. Her research at CNA focused on the development of the artificial intelligence sector in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and…

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