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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

Leveraging Complexity in Great-Power Competition and Warfare: Volume I

Aug 26, 2021

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?
Report

Countering Russia's Malign and Subversive Information Efforts

Aug 16, 2021

Information aggression is increasing in frequency and intensity. Russia, in particular, 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?

Explore Information Operations

Report

Measures of Effectiveness for the Information-Age Navy: The Effects of Network-Centric Operations on Combat Outcomes

This report creates a framework for developing measures to help the Navy decide how network-centric operations affect combat outcomes and which information systems work best.

Apr 8, 2002
Report

Street Smart: Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield for Urban Operations

Offers enhancements to the intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB) process to improve its usefulness for urban operations.

Jan 1, 2002
Journal Article

Information Operations and Counterterrorism

There is an increasing awareness that TTOs and other asymmetric enemies seek to exploit Western vulnerabilities to cyberbased information operations.

Jan 1, 2002
Commentary

Intelligence in the Information Age; Spy Data For Sale

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Apr 8, 2001
Report

The Future of Warfare: Issues from the 1999 Army After Next Study Cycle

Discuss issues that emerged from the games on Army Special Operations, Army Medical Department, Information Operations, Space, Force Projection, National Security, Campaign Planning, Pre-Assessment, and the Spring Wargame.

Jan 1, 2001
Report

Measures of Effectiveness for the Information-Age Army

This research demonstrates that development of measures of effectiveness (MOEs) is feasible, not only for combat operations but for stability operations as well.

Jan 1, 2001
Report

Technology Acquisition by Terrorist Groups: Threat Assessment Informed by Lessons from Private Sector Technology Adoption

Brings to bear the deep literature that exists on technology adoption by commercial organizations to examine the process through which terrorist groups seek out and deploy new technology.

Jan 1, 2001
Report

The City's Many Faces: Proccedings of the RAND Arroyo-MCWL-J8 UWG Urban Operations Conference, April 13-14, 1999

The event sought to provide a forum for information exchange and debate on the complete range of possible urban operations likely to challenge U.S. national interests in the next generation.

Jan 1, 2000
Report

Heavy Matter: Urban Operations' Density of Challenges

This study proposes a new way of viewing urban operations, among the most complex challenges facing America's armed forces.

Jan 1, 2000
Report

Strategic Appraisal: The Changing Role of Information in Warfare

This report draws on the expertise of researchers from across RAND to explore the opportunities and vulnerabilities inherent in the increasing reliance on information technology, looking both at its usefulness to the warrior and the need to protect its usefulness for everyone.

Jan 1, 1999
Report

Securing the U.S. Defense Information Infrastructure: A Proposed Approach

The authors analyze the concept of a minimum essential information infrastructure (MEII) in light of the characteristics of the national information infrastructure and the nature of various types of information warfare attacks.

Jan 1, 1999
Report

The Emergence of Noopolitik: Toward An American Information Strategy

Discusses the opportunities that may be raised by noopolitik—an emerging form of statecraft that emphasizes the importance of sharing ideas and values globally, principally through the exercise of persuasive soft power rather than traditional military hard power.

Jan 1, 1999
Research Brief

How Advances in Information and Firepower Can Transform Warfare

Investigated the potential of new concepts for destroying moving mechanized forces. These new concepts incorporate advanced munitions with systems for theaterwide surveillance and control.

Jan 1, 1998
Report

To Find, and Not to Yield: How Advances in Information and Firepower Can Transform Theater Warfare

Absent significant changes in U.S. defense investment priorities, American forces could soon find themselves unable to cope with some emerging challenges in large-scale power projection operations.

Jan 1, 1998
Report

Strategic Information Warfare Rising

Strategic Information Warfare (SIW) lies at the intersection of the information revolution and the ongoing revolution in strategic warfare.

Jan 1, 1998
Report

National security in the information age

National security in the information age

Jan 1, 1998
Research Brief

Sources of Future Conflict: Long-Range Security Implications of Key Regional and Global Trends

Examines several alternative strategic worlds and what they might mean for the United States and for U.S. Air Force planners.

Jan 1, 1998
Report

Space: Emerging Options for National Power

Presents the results of a study that examined the extent to which both military and economic spacepower will influence national security strategy and the conduct of future military operations.

Jan 1, 1998
Report

Bettering the Balance: Large Wars and Small Contingencies

This paper explores the Army's options: using contractors; relying on the reserves; redesigning existing organizations; improving routine training; reducing equipment problems; and improving its information operations.

Jan 1, 1997
Report

In Athena’s Camp: Preparing for Conflict in the Information Age

The information revolution is transforming the nature of conflict across the spectrum: from open warfare, to terrorism, crime, and even radical social activism.

Jan 1, 1997

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RAND Topic:
Information Operations

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Elizabeth Bodine-Baron

Acting Director, Force Modernization and Employment Program, RAND Project Air Force

Elizabeth Bodine-Baron is the acting director of the Force Modernization and Employment Program in RAND Project Air Force (PAF) and a senior information scientist at the RAND Corporation specializing in complex networks and systems. Her research interests include network analysis and modeling…
William Marcellino

Senior Behavioral and Social Scientist

Bill Marcellino is a senior behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation, professor of text analytics at the Pardee RAND Graduate School, and lecturer at Johns Hopkins University. He was trained as a sociolinguist and corpus linguist, and at RAND he develops analytic toolsets, including…

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