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Civilians, on the other hand, are not so limited in their application of
cyber capabilities and thus have a broader palette of options for describing new
events. The military has no way to address the myriad number of terms such as
manipulation, mobilization, recruiting, squatting and at least a hundred other
“cyber” word combinations. It is important that the military address this crucial
shortcoming in its theory because these cyber-related actions affect the military.
As documented in the conclusion, this shortcoming has affected the US military
in Iraq even when the event occurs far from Iraq. For example, Omar Bakri
Mohammed, an extremist London cleric, recently used live broadcasts on the
Internet to call the young to Jihad. 44 In effect he is relying on cyber-based
technologies to conduct cybermanipulation, cyberrecruiting, and
cybermobilization activities that will affect our forces on the battlefield.
Some armies use different information terminology, however, and
define terms that the US has avoided. A Russian information operation, for
example, does not consist of the same elements as a US military information
operation. It only has two core capabilities, information-technical and
information-psychological. In addition, Russian theorists define in detail the
term “information weapon”—a term the US does not define.
Regarding a Chinese perspective on information operations, one need
only look at the writings of renowned Chinese IO expert Shen Weiguang. He
noted
Information has become as strategic a resource as material and energy.
The information industry has become a national pillar industry, and
information elements have become the most important production
elements…it is necessary to establish a world information security
committee to organize the research and control of information warfare
theory, technology, and equipment as well as information security
issues. 45
Shen has also recommended the development of rules of engagement
for the current environment and the requirement to begin discussion on
developing the theory of information deterrence. Clearly other nations are
examining IO with criteria that differ from the US. They also appear stuck in
the lexicon of the past.
44 Sean O’Neil and Yaakov Lappin, “Britain’s Online Imam Declares War as He Calls
Young to Jihad,” timesonline.co.uk, 17 January 2005.
45 Shen Weiguang, “Checking Information Warfare—Epoch Mission of Intellectual
Military,” Jiefangjun Bao [PLA Daily Newspaper], 2 February 1999, p. 6 as translated
and downloaded from the FBIS website on 2 February 1999.
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