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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.

Commentary
Stalled in Ukraine, Kremlin Increasingly Turns to Political Theater
Stymied in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has amped up the political theater to achieve his objectives. How do we interpret Putin's statements? While no nuclear threat should be ignored, Putin's pronouncements remain in the realm of propaganda.
Apr 17, 2023
Commentary
Standing Up to Kim Jong-un's Divide-and-Conquer Strategy
Kim Jong-un is frightened by even the current modest flow of information into the North. He may be prepared to reduce his provocations if those threats lead to the further spread of outside information in the North. At the very least, the ROK and the United States could try such efforts.
Jan 6, 2023

Explore Information Operations

Commentary
Is It Time to Abandon the Term Information Operations?
Operations in the information environment will be a critical part of future joint force operations and should be baked in to those operations as a fully valued tool in commanders' combined arms toolboxes. Reaching that goal will require greater acceptance and understanding of information across the joint force, new structures for information forces, and the evolution of how operations in the information environment are handled within the staff.
Mar 13, 2019
Commentary
Russia's Soft Strategy to Hostile Measures in Europe
They've been called political warfare, measures short of war, gray zone warfare, and a host of other terms. Russia has used a wide range of hostile measures to expand its influence and undermine governments across the European continent. These tactics should be appreciated for what they are: part of a larger, coherent Russian effort, but ultimately not an insurmountable one.
Feb 26, 2019
Report
How to Counter Russia's Hostile Measures in Europe
Russia has a range of tools and methods short of conventional war that it can use to achieve its goals in Europe. There is no way to predict what Russia will do, but it's possible to analyze its motives and opportunities, the means it might employ, and how the United States should respond.
Jan 28, 2019
Brochure
Remarks by Brian Michael Jenkins at the One Night with RAND Event
At an event commemorating his 50 years of service at RAND, Brian Michael Jenkins spoke about terrorism and the United States' response to it over the past several decades.
Jan 8, 2019
Blog
The Most Popular RAND Research of 2018
RAND serves as an objective source of facts that help inform the world's most pressing policy debates. When decisions are based on the best evidence, that's when public policy can have a positive impact on people's lives. We're highlighting the 10 research projects that RAND.org readers found most engaging this year.
Dec 21, 2018
Blog
Military Spouses, Exercise Incentives, Libraries: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on a scholarship program for military spouses, a wellness program that uses the Apple Watch, how libraries can improve public health, and more.
Nov 30, 2018
Blog
RAND Hosts Forum on 21st-Century Warfare Honoring Roberta Wohlstetter
National security experts, flag officers, and decisionmakers attended the Roberta Wohlstetter Forum on National Security at RAND's Washington office on October 24. The featured speakers, moderators, organizers, donor, and namesake for the event were all women.
Nov 26, 2018
Report
Improving C2 and Situational Awareness for Operations in and Through the Information Environment
Every military activity has informational aspects, but the information environment (IE) is not well integrated into military planning, doctrine, or processes. Better understanding of the IE will improve command and control and situational awareness.
Nov 1, 2018
Research Brief
Requirements for Better C2 and Situational Awareness of the Information Environment
Every military activity has informational aspects, but the information environment (IE) is not well integrated into military planning, doctrine, or processes. Better understanding of the IE will improve command and control and situational awareness.
Nov 1, 2018
Report
Strategies to Counter Russian Social Media Influence
The Russian government's disinformation campaigns have found a comfortable home on social media. No single approach to countering their influence is likely to produce a conclusive victory over the threat. Therefore, it would be prudent to adopt approaches that target multiple links in the disinformation chain.
Nov 1, 2018
Multimedia
Highlights from the Roberta Wohlstetter Forum on National Security
A forum on national security honors the legacy of Roberta Wohlstetter, a military analyst who worked at RAND from its creation in 1948 until 1965. Panelists discuss the events, capabilities, technologies, and methodologies that demand new concepts for national security and defense.
Oct 24, 2018
Report
The Language of Inform, Influence, and Persuade: Assessment Lexicon and Usage Guide for U.S. European Command Efforts
Inconsistency in how assessment is discussed can lead to confusion, miscommunication, and the appearance of agreement or disagreement when the opposite is true. RAND researchers developed this lexicon and usage guide to help combat this problem.
Oct 18, 2018
Testimony
Russian Social Media Influence: Understanding Russian Propaganda in Eastern Europe: Addendum
Document submitted August 30, 2018, as an addendum to testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on August 1, 2018.
Aug 31, 2018
Report
How Russia Uses Media and Information Operations in Turkey
Russian media have employed propaganda strategies to undermine Turkey's political and security cooperation with the United States and Europe. Russian media have also contributed to anti-American discourse in Turkey and have reinforced the Turkish government's propaganda pursuits.
Aug 28, 2018
Commentary
Iran's Disinformation Campaigns
New reports suggest that the Kremlin may have company in its efforts to shape the United States' domestic information landscape: Iran. As Americans prepare to return to the voting booths this fall, Washington would be well advised to look into Iran's disinformation capabilities and intentions.
Aug 24, 2018
Commentary
Here's How Russia Will Try to Interfere in the 2018 Elections
Russia will threaten U.S. midterm elections in November, although by how much is unclear. Moscow might be more restrained this year, but it could be wilier.
Aug 14, 2018
Testimony
Russia's Social Media Influence in Eastern Europe
Russia is engaged in an active, worldwide propaganda campaign, but it is particularly interested in targeting its western border. What can the United States and allied governments do to limit Russian influence in the region?
Aug 1, 2018
Report
Lessons from Others for Future U.S. Army Operations in and Through the Information Environment
An examination of the evolution of both allied and adversary use of information power, alongside a comparative analysis of capability areas in which these others excel, can guide future U.S. Army force planning.
Jun 7, 2018
Report
Lessons from Others for Future U.S. Army Operations in and Through the Information Environment: Case Studies
Twelve detailed case studies examine of the activities and strategic goals of allies, adversaries, and potential adversaries in and through the information environment, highlighting insights for U.S. Army planning.
Jun 7, 2018
Journal Article
Paradigm Change: Operational Art and the Information Joint Function
The potential benefit of information as a joint function is clear. Commanders could measure campaign success by evaluating emergent behavior of relevant actors defining strategic outcomes rather than focusing too intently on the physics of fighting.
May 2, 2018

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RAND Topic:
Information Operations

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Miriam Matthews

Associate Director, Workforce, Development, and Health Program, RAND Project AIR FORCE

Miriam Matthews is the associate director of the Workforce, Development, and Health program within RAND Project AIR FORCE and a senior behavioral and social scientist at the RAND Corporation. She conducts research in the areas of political psychology and diversity and multiculturalism.
Alyssa Demus

Associate International/Defense Researcher

Alyssa Demus is an associate international/defense researcher at the RAND Corporation. Her research examines Eurasian political and security issues; information warfare and influence campaigns; efforts to counter adversary influence efforts; and perceptions and decisionmaking. Demus is fluent in…

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