Information Operations as an Element of National Power: A Practitioners Perspective On Why the United States Can't Get It Right

摘要

Most observers are disturbed to note that the United States of America, the lone superpower and the largest democratic and economically successful country in the history of the world, cannot or will not apply the means required to achieve overwhelming success in Information Operations. In simplest terms, the US is failing to apply a marketing strategy to sell democracy. How often do senior leaders acknowledge that Information Operations is critical to the success of combating terrorism. Consistently it is stated that 'winning the hearts and minds,' 'winning the war of ideas,' or 'combating an ideology' is key to victory. If these declarations are true, then why do most senior commanders consistently state 'we are losing the Information Operations fight.' The purpose of this paper is to examine the US strategic national policies on Information Operations (IO). Additionally, if the US has a strategic plan in place ,is it understood and integral to all operational concepts throughout the force. The author will identify and explain why the US consistently fails to achieve success in implementation of IO and will make recommendations on how to apply this element of national power to achieve the national strategic ends.