1. Communicating with Skeptical Audiences: Challenges and Solutions 16-17 October 2003 Information Operations: Accessing the Skeptics Steven J. Iatrou Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, California

2. Communicating with Skeptical Audiences: Challenges and Solutions 16-17 October 2003 Slide 2 Information Operations Actions taken to affect adversary information and information systems while defending one’s own information and information systems. Information Warfare Information Operations conducted during time of crisis or conflict to achieve or promote specific objectives over a specific adversary or adversaries Definitions

3. Communicating with Skeptical Audiences: Challenges and Solutions 16-17 October 2003 Slide 3 Why IO?  Winning battles and wars  Ability to fight vs. Will to fight  Iraq (ability? will?)  Afghanistan (ability? will?)  Will: The mental faculty by which one deliberately chooses or decides on a course of action

4. Communicating with Skeptical Audiences: Challenges and Solutions 16-17 October 2003 Slide 4  Target the human decisionmaking process  Slow the adversary’s operational tempo  Disrupt adversary plans  Disrupt the adversary’s ability to focus power  Influence the adversary’s estimate of the situation IO Goals

5. Communicating with Skeptical Audiences: Challenges and Solutions 16-17 October 2003 Slide 5  Actions taken to convey selected information and indicators to foreign audiences.  Influence emotions, motives, reasoning, and ultimately behavior  Truth projection Psychological Operations

6. Communicating with Skeptical Audiences: Challenges and Solutions 16-17 October 2003 Slide 6 Clearly Defined Mission Thorough Analysis of Targets Evaluate PSYOP Effects of Military Actions Proper Transmission Medium/Media Rapid Exploitation Feedback Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Principles (Challenges)

7. Communicating with Skeptical Audiences: Challenges and Solutions 16-17 October 2003 Slide 7 Clearly Defined Mission  The Secretary of Defense normally delegates PSYOP product approval to the supported combatant commander. This does not mean that the supported combatant commander also has been delegated approval for PSYOP product dissemination.  Two levels of product approval:  Themes and messages: OSD  Products: Unclear. Situation dependent; can be delegated to the JTF Commander.  4 th POG (Psychological Operations Group): Not well integrated into the planning process.  PSYOP not well integrated with the Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy missions PSYOP Principles (Challenges)

8. Communicating with Skeptical Audiences: Challenges and Solutions 16-17 October 2003 Slide 8 Thorough Analysis of Targets Product disseminators access to POWs and cultural experts Evaluate PSYOP Effects of Military Actions Theme and product approval authorities must closely monitor actions at the tactical level (and the reactions to them) Proper Transmission Medium/Media Trusted medium for the chosen theme/message PSYOP Principles (Challenges)

9. Communicating with Skeptical Audiences: Challenges and Solutions 16-17 October 2003 Slide 9 Rapid Exploitation Alter message, medium, or theme based on evolving attitudes Feedback Can’t to that without this! PSYOP Principles (Challenges)

10. Communicating with Skeptical Audiences: Challenges and Solutions 16-17 October 2003 Slide 10 Establish in country authority to rapidly adjust themes based on changing situations Establish measurable target conditions associated with approved themes Develop “if-then” scenarios for anticipated reactions to PYSOP messages/products (positive, negative and neutral) Continuous coordination (embedded liaison officers) between DoS & DoD in country to determine delta between desired end-state and current situation Single PSYOP planning team for theater including product dissemination experts (4 th POG) and Public Affairs personnel Establish direct feedback mechanism from the field to the “planning team” to enable rapid exploitation of situation Continuous level of activity to develop and maintain channels (Face-to-face) Constant target research and analysis PSYOP Principles (Solutions)