This interdisciplinary Handbook provides an in-depth analysis of the complex security phenomenon of disinformation and offers a toolkit to counter such tactics.
Disinformation used to propagate false, inexact or out of context information is today a frequently used tool of political manipulation and information warfare, both online and offline. This Handbook evidences a historical thread of continuing practices and modus operandi in overt state propaganda and covert information operations. Further, it attempts to unveil current methods used by propaganda actors, the inherent vulnerabilities they exploit in the fabric of democratic societies and, last but not least, to highlight current practices in countering disinformation and building resilient audiences.
The Handbook is divided into six thematic sections. The first part provides a set of theoretical approaches to hostile influencing, disinformation and covert information operations. The second part looks at disinformation and propaganda in historical perspective offering case study analysis of disinformation, and the third focuses on providing understanding of the contemporary challenges posed by disinformation and hostile influencing. The fourth part examines information and communication practices used for countering disinformation and building resilience. The fifth part analyses specific regional experiences in countering and deterring disinformation, as well as international policy responses from transnational institutions and security practitioners. Finally, the sixth part offers a practical toolkit for practitioners to counter disinformation and hostile influencing.
This handbook will be of much interest to students of national security, propaganda studies, media and communications studies, intelligence studies and International Relations in general.
This interdisciplinary Handbook provides an in-depth analysis of the complex security phenomenon of disinformation and offers a toolkit to counter such tactics.
Introduction Part I. Theoretical Perspectives: Concepts and Definitions
1. Hybrid Security Threats and the Information Domain: Concepts and
Definitions
2. Deterrence by Denial and Resilience Building
3. Military
Deception and Perception Management Part II. Historical Perspectives
4. Cold
War Active Measures
5. Historical Disinformation Practices: Learning from the
Russians
6. Influence Operations and the Role of Intelligence
7. Asymmetrical
Conflict in the Information Domain: The Case of Russia Part III. Contemporary
Challenges
8. Disinformation: The Jihadists New Religion
9. Digital
Disinformation, Electoral Interference, and Systemic Distrust
10. A
Perception Management Take on Propaganda as Political Warfare
11. The Use and
Abuse of History by Russian Embassies on Twitter: The Case of the Baltic
States
12. Using Mimetic and Rhetorical Theory to Critique a Disinformation
Consensus: The Problem of "Personal Vigilance"
13. Deepfake Disinformation:
How Digital Deception and Synthetic Media Threaten National Security
14. The
Strategic Logic of Digital Disinformation: Offense, Defence and Deterrence in
Information Warfare
15. Conspiracy Theories and Unfounded Rumours in
Contemporary Democracies: Beyond Truth and Trust
16. Cognitive Warfare:
Understanding the Threat Part IV. Countering Disinformation and Building
Resilience
17. Journalistic Approaches to Information Sources, Fact-Checking,
Verification and Detached Reporting
18. A National Security Perspective on
Information Leaks
19. An Ethical Understanding of Military Strategic
Communication, Public Relations, and Persuasion
20. Emotional Diplomacy in
Times of Uncertainty and Disinformation
21. Open-Source Information for
Intelligence Purposes: The Challenge of Disinformation
22. Protective Factors
Against Disinformation Part V. General Trends and Regional Specificities in
Countering Disinformation
23. The EU Approach to Combating Disinformation:
Between Censorship and the "Market for Information"
24. The Strategic
Security Environment and NATOs Perspectives in Developing Effective
Strategic Communications (2014-2022)
25. The Baltic Experience in Countering
Contemporary Russian Disinformation
26. The Disinformation Threat: Lessons
from the Chinese Experience
27. The Perils of Disinformation in Latin America
Part VI: A Toolkit for Practitioners
28. The Use of Discourse Analysis in
Propaganda Detection and Understanding
29. Anticipatory Approaches to
Disinformation, Warning and Supporting Technologies
30. AI Technologies to
Support Detection of Information Manipulation on Social Networks and Online
Media: A Quick Overview
31. Wargaming Disinformation Campaigns Conclusions -
Analysing and Assessing Disinformation and Hostile Influencing
Rubén Arcos is a senior lecturer in communication sciences at University Rey Juan Carlos (URJC) in Madrid, Spain, and a researcher of the Cyberimaginario research group. He is a cofounder and codirector of IntelHubInternational Online Intelligence Hub.
Irena Chiru is a professor of intelligence studies at Mihai Viteazul National Intelligence Academy, Romania. She is a member of the editorial advisory board of the International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence.
Cristina Ivan is researcher at the National Institute for Intelligence Studies, "Mihai Viteazul" National Intelligence Academy in Romania. She holds a PhD in cultural studies.
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