Romanian Military Thinking

Geopolitics • Geostrategy • International Security
The existing NATO Military Policy cannot provide a proper answer to the multiple
actions against NATO Forces in the information operations environment. The only
approved NATO Policy in Information Operations was MC 422/1 – NATO Military Policy
on Information Operation (FINAL) which was approved by NAC on September 19 th , 2002.
This policy has been overcome by events and was declared no longer relevant in today’s
age by the Military Committee Working Group on January 18 th , 2007. This working group
agreed to continue the development of AJP 3.10 – Allied Joint Doctrine For Information
Operation, but the approval process was stopped until final approval of MC 422/2
– NATO POLICY on Information Operations.
In these circumstances, the Alliance developed a new document: MC 422/2
– NATO Policy on Information Operation. This was accepted by the Military Committee
in October 2005 and was submitted for NAC approval. The NAC however sent it back
for revision. This demonstrates the complexity of modern conflicts as the Alliance
continuously changes in the way of conducting peacekeeping operations and the necessity
to adapt the existing strategy to today’s age of asymmetric warfare.
The lessons learned demonstrate that the information environment represents
an important domain of action against NATO Forces, and the Alliance has to react properly
and to take control of this domain. This can be accomplished only with an appropriate
strategy that creates the framework for directions and guidance at strategic level in the
information environment, strategy that allows, at the same time, the development
of doctrines designated to explain how Info Ops are planned, coordinated, executed
and assessed at operational and tactical level.
The information operation strategy development and approval process in NATO
is long and difficult because of the member nation’s different opinions related to information
environment and because of NATO Senior Political Committee Reinforced (SPC(R))
and NAC concern that Info Ops Strategy and Policy under development can go beyond
the military sphere and into the political environment.
Other areas of concern are those referring to the relationship between Info Ops,
Public Information and the target audience of Info Ops.
Information Operations plan, coordinate, execute and assess their activities into
an environment that is different from the other military actions, that is to say the information
environment. The information environment is the aggregate of individuals, organisations,
and systems that collect, process, disseminate, or act on information. The information
environment is where social and technical systems observe, orient, decide, and act
upon information, and is therefore the principal environment of decision-making.
The information environment is made up of three interrelated dimensions: physical,
informational and cognitive.
The Physical Dimension is composed of the force, command and control (C2) systems,
and supporting infrastructures that enable individuals and organisations to conduct
operations. It is also the dimension where physical platforms and the communications
networks that connect them reside. The elements of this dimension are the easiest
to measure and, consequently, combat power has traditionally been measured primarily
in this dimension.
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