International Information Operations, The Way Ahead

1
International Information Operations, The Way
Ahead

• LTC Mike McNamara
• Information Operations Department
• Information Resources Management College
• National Defense University

2
Turbulent Times

• Demise of Soviet Union
• End of Cold War
• Legacy of Gulf War, i.e. Saddam
• NATO Expansion - Peace Ops Debate
• Recurring Roles and Missions Questions
• UNPRECEDENTED DEGREE AND PACE OF CHANGE

3
Challenges to Global Security Interests Four
Dangers

• Large-scale Cross-border Aggression
• SW Asia, East Asia
• Failed States
• Balkans, Caucasus, Africa, elsewhere
• Transnational Dangers
• Terrorists, Drugs, International Crime,
  Environmental Disasters
• Flow of Potentially Dangerous Technologies-NBC
  Other

4
U.S. Defense Strategy

• Shape International Environment
• Promote regional stability
• Prevent/reduce conflicts threats
• Deter aggression coercion
• Respond to Full Spectrum of Crises
• Deter aggression and coercion
• Selective Participation in SSCs
• Fighting/Winning Major Theater War
• Prepare Now for Uncertain Future

5
Meeting the challenges

• Four Tools
• Military
• Diplomatic
• Economic
• Informational WE ARE ENGAGED
  WORLDWIDE TO PROMOTE STABILITY AND THWART
  AGGRESSION
  
  

6
IO/Perception Management

• Psychological Operations, Counter-propaganda
• Deception , Counter-deception
• OPSEC
• Electronic Warfare
• CNA / CND
• Physical Destructions
• Supporting
• Civil Affairs
• Public Affairs

7
The Real Challenge

• First shots fired are usually informational
• Governments can no longer control the flow of
  information
• Large bureaucratic organizations cannot react in
  a timely manner.
• Accuracy versus Speed
• Defensive versus Offensive
• Outdated policy organizational mechanisms to
  respond to the demands of this new environment

8
International Information Operations

• Goal Achieve international objectives without
  resorting to force, or act as a force multiplier
  in the event force is required

9
U.S. International Public Information (IPI)

• Presidential Decision Directive 68 International
  Public Information
• Goal Control and Coordinate the timely flow of
  information activities across the interagency
  bureaucracy .
• Interagency Working Groups
• Iraq, Bosnia/Kosovo, Combating Terrorism
• State/NSC Co-Chair, permanent DoD billet
• Directed support from State, DoD, CIA, others

10
International Public Information

• Three Tools
• Public Affairs
• International Military Information
• Public Diplomacy

11
U.S. Public Affairs

• Those public information and community relations
  activities directed toward the domestic general
  public by various elements of the USG, as well as
  those activities directed to foreign publics,
  including the media, by official U.S. spokesmen
  abroad.

12
International Military Information

• Focus upon Perception Management
• Includes Psychological Operations (PSYOPS)
• Activities designed to convey selected
  information and indicators to foreign audiences
  to influence the behavior of foreign governments,
  organizations, groups and individuals. The
  purpose of psychological operations is to induce
  or reinforce foreign attitudes and behavior
  favorable to the overall national security
  interests of the United States.

13
Strategic PSYOP

• International information activities conducted
  by USG agencies to influence foreign attitudes,
  perceptions and behavior in favor of US goals and
  objectives. These programs are conducted
  predominantly outside the military arena but can
  use DOD assets and be supported by military
  PSYOP. Military PSYOP with potential strategic
  impact must be coordinated with national efforts.
• Joint Pub 3-53

14
U.S. Public Diplomacy

• U.S. State Department lead
• Effective use of our nations information
  capabilities to counter misinformation and
  incitement, mitigate inter-ethnic
  conflict,promote independent media organizations
  and the free flow of information, and support
  democratic participation helps advance US
  interests abroad.
• A NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY FOR A NEW
  CENTURY
• DECEMBER 1999

15
Coordination Issues

• Number of Players
• Very diverse philosophies on role of public
  information
• Issues on publication of operational information
  by media
• Strategy on release of information
• Justify withholding
• Justify not withholding
• Understanding / Acceptance of the different
  versions of Military PSYOPs

16
The Way Ahead
17
Players in Shaping the International Security
Environment

• The U.S. military plays a crucial role in
• shaping the international security environ-
• ment in ways that protect and promote
• U.S. interests, but it is not a substitute for
• other forms of engagement, such as
• diplomatic, economic, scientific, techno-
• logical, cultural and educational activities.

A National Security Strategy for a New
Century The White House, December 1999
18
Interagency Lessons Learned

• Language Difficulties
• Organizational Cultures
• Different Planning Cycles
• Decision Authorities
• The Role of Education
• The Value of Exercises

19
Lessons Applied

• Presidential Decision Directive 56
• Managing Complex Contingencies
• Education (NDU)
• Cultures Capabilities
• Establish Formal / Informal Working
  Relationships
• Establish Planning / Coordination Models
• Exercises

20
Template for Cooperation

• Presidential Decision Directive 63
• Protection of Critical Infrastructures (power,
  communications, financial systems,
  transportation, government services, health
  sanitation, water, power, etc.)
• Inter-Agency Sector Responsibilities
• Partnership with State / Private Sector
• Application of Y2K lessons learned
• Educational Initiatives

21
The Way Ahead

• Doctrine, clarify concepts and language.
• Policy, establish national strategy before or
  early in crisis
• Education,
• Military is not the only target
• Government agencies, non-government agencies and
  private sector all contribute to attainment of
  objectives.
• Exercises, work out procedures / problems before
  they surface.

22
Contact Information

• Phone [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• E-Mail mcnamara_at_ndu.edu
• Information Operations Department
• Information Resources Management College
• National Defense University
• Fort McNair, Washington DC 20319