All hands on deck: Pentagon eyes left-leaning college professors in information fight vs. China

The new strategy for U.S. information warfare operations involves collaboration between military and civilian defense groups, utilizing Pentagon public affairs personnel aided by academics and non-government organizations. 

The new “Strategy for Operations in the Information Environment” report highlights the urgency for the U.S. to control the digital information battlefield. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warns that adversaries are swiftly leveraging the information sphere to challenge America’s strengths. The report found:

• The U.S must embrace a whole-of-government approach to the development of information as an instrument of national power.
• The strategy calls for four lines of effort in conducting information warfare: people and organizations, programs, policies and governance, and partnerships.
• The use of university academics is likely to be controversial, considering the largely left-leaning political views of many in American higher education. 
• Report authors acknowledges the perceived political views of many academics, but argue no resource can be overlooked.

China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and terrorist groups as among those identified in the report as employing message-shaping information warfare techniques in a bid to offset American military and other advantages.

“Each is becoming more assertive, using their informational capabilities to deny information accessibility and propagate malign influence, misinformation, disinformation, propaganda and deception activities to influence and disrupt world order,” the report said.

A comprehensive version of this article by Bill Gertz may be found HERE