Addressing Commanders' Needs for Information on 'Soft' Factors

摘要

There is growing recognition within the Army and Joint world that recent U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan including information operations and influence operations have turned in large measure on an understanding of soft factors. However, along with this recognition have come many questions, including: How do commanders view their requirements for cultural preparation of the environment. How can these sorts of factors be considered more systematically in planning and conducting operations. A recent RAND Arroyo Center study sought to characterize commanders requirements for information on soft factors, and to develop practical ways for commanders to integrate influence activities into combined arms planning and assessment. The research entailed structured conversations with commanders and their staffs, a review of senior commanders and other writings, an analysis of task lists, and an assessment of relevant data from the 1st Information Operations Command and the National Training Center. This research brief describes work documented in 'Understanding Commanders Information Needs for Influence Operations,' by Eric V. Larson, Richard E. Darilek, Dalia Dassa Kaye, Forrest E. Morgan, Brian Nichiporuk, Diana Dunham-Scott, Cathryn Quantic Thurston, and Kristin J. Leuschner, (MG-656-A, 2009). Related research includes 'Foundations of Effective Influence Operations: A Framework for Enhancing Army Capabilities,' by Eric V. Larson, Richard E. Darilek, Daniel Gibran, Brian Nichiporuk, Amy Richardson, Lowell H. Schwartz, and Cathryn Quantic Thurston, (MG-654-A, 2009) and 'Assessing Irregular Warfare: A Framework for Intelligence Analysis, by Eric V. Larson, Derek Eaton, Brian Nichiporuk, and Thomas S. Szayna, MG-668-A, 2008.