Cognitive Warfare in the Age of Unpeace: Strategies, Defenses, and the New Battlefield of the Mind

By Josh Luberisse

Cognitive Warfare in the Age of Unpeace: Strategies, Defenses, and the New Battlefield of the Mind is a definitive examination of the emergent arena of cognitive warfare—a battlefield where consciousness and cognition are under siege. Rooted in the historical lineage of warfare, this seminal tome charts a course from the stratagems of yesteryear's influence operations to the digital subversions that define our current epoch.

The book is structured to provide a layered understanding of the subject. Part I lays the foundation, explaining how the age of unpeace has given rise to a new form of warfare that exists between peace and war, where the battle for influence is paramount. Part II describes the modern tools at the disposal of state and non-state actors, including AI and neurotechnological advancements, and the ways in which these tools can manipulate and coerce on a mass scale.

Through real-world case studies, Part III illustrates the practical application of cognitive strategies and the impact of such warfare on democracies, highlighting the need for robust countermeasures. In Part IV, the focus shifts to strategic insights, examining both offensive strategies for influence and subversion and the defensive strategies necessary to maintain cognitive sovereignty.

The latter sections, Parts V and VI, provide a forward-looking perspective on building societal and governmental defenses against cognitive attacks. These include fostering societal resilience through public education, developing policy and governance frameworks, and addressing the ethical dimensions of cognitive defense.

The final chapters speculate on the future trajectory of cognitive warfare, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and the establishment of 'cognitive peace'. With its conclusion and appendices providing a roadmap and additional resources, this book stands as an essential guide for policymakers, security experts, academics and citizens alike in understanding and countering the sophisticated threat of cognitive warfare in our increasingly interconnected world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fortis Novum Mundum
• Release date: Nov 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223577867

Josh Luberisse

Josh, a multifaceted entrepreneur and renowned author, has carved a niche for himself in the spheres of artificial intelligence, geopolitics, finance, and cybersecurity. With a myriad of authoritative books to his credit on these subjects, he is undeniably a luminary in the domain. Not just an author, Josh is also the charismatic host of "Innovate Now: The Pulse of Future Technologies," a groundbreaking podcast that unravels the intricacies of nascent technologies and the imminent future of innovation, accentuating on avant-garde progressions in AI, fintech, and quantum computing. His eclectic professional journey is an embodiment of diverse experiences. From serving at financial behemoths like Citi, Bank of America, BNY Mellon, Morgan Stanley, to JP Morgan Chase, his immersion in the financial industry is profound. His multilateral expertise as a licensed real estate agent, tax advisor, and a sagacious planner for retirement and estates accentuates the depth and breadth of his knowledge, enabling him to write with an unparalleled, informed perspective.  However, it's not just the financial world that has witnessed Josh's Midas touch. As an astute entrepreneur, Josh has birthed and nurtured several startups. His brainchild, Neuromorph Systems, stands as a testament to his vision. A future global tech titan, it specializes in data management, system integration, and artificial intelligence. With a mission to shield the pivotal systems of its global clientele and concurrently offer them unparalleled data management, visualization, and analysis capabilities. In the realm of venture capital, Josh's VC firm, Other People's Capital, emerges as a game-changer. Dedicated to bolstering founders with groundbreaking ideas, the company's expertise lies in fostering and propelling enterprises that have the potential to define entire categories. With a track record replete with highly successful exits, Other People's Capital has a legacy of identifying and nurturing businesses that ascend to industry leadership. Josh's journey, from his stint in the financial realm to his foray into the world of startups, underlines his unmatched expertise and vision. As a thought leader, seasoned practitioner, and an indomitable entrepreneur, his writings and ventures are not just about envisioning the future but also about shaping it.

Book preview

Cognitive Warfare in the Age of Unpeace

Strategies, Defenses, and the New Battlefield of the Mind

Josh Luberisse

Fortis Novum Mundum

Copyright © 2023 Fortis Novum Mundum, LLC

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Cover design by: Fortis Novum Mundum

Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Part I: The Landscape of Cognitive Warfare

Chapter 1: The Evolution of Influence and Coercion

Chapter 2: Non-State Actors and the Democratization of Influence

Chapter 3: Hybrid Warfare and the Cognitive Domain

​Part II: Tools of Cognitive Warfare

Chapter 4: Disinformation and the Digital Ecosystem

Chapter 5: Neurotechnologies and AI: The New Frontiers

Chapter 6: The Psychology of Influence Operations

Part III: Case Studies in Cognitive Warfare

Chapter 7: Historical Precedents and Lessons Learned

Chapter 8: Contemporary Instances of Cognitive Conflicts

Chapter 9: Election Interference and the Cognitive Battlefield

​Part IV: Navigating the Strategies of Cognitive Warfare

Chapter 10: Offensive Strategies: Influence and Subversion

Chapter 11: Defensive Strategies: Countermeasures and Resilience

Chapter 12: International Law and Cognitive Warfare

​Part V: Building Defenses against Cognitive Warfare

​Chapter 13: Societal Resilience and Public Education

​Chapter 14: Policy and Governance Frameworks

​Chapter 15: The Ethics of Cognitive Defense

​Part VI: The Future of Cognitive Warfare

​Chapter 16: Predictive Models and Emerging Technologies

​Chapter 17: Regulatory and Ethical Considerations

Chapter 18: Case Studies in Regulation and Ethics

Chapter 19: Towards a Framework for Peace

Conclusion

​Appendix A: Glossary of Cognitive Warfare Terminology

Appendix B: Key International Agreements and Documents

Appendix C: Resources for Further Research

Acknowledgement

About The Author

Books In This Series

Books By This Author

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Dawn of Cognitive Warfare

The New Domain of Conflict

Understanding the Age of Unpeace

Part I: The Landscape of Cognitive Warfare

Chapter 1: The Evolution of Influence and Coercion

Chapter 2: Non-State Actors and the Democratization of Influence

Chapter 3: Hybrid Warfare and the Cognitive Domain

Part II: Tools of Cognitive Warfare

Chapter 4: Disinformation and the Digital Ecosystem

Chapter 5: Neurotechnologies and AI: The New Frontiers

Chapter 6: The Psychology of Influence Operations

Part III: Case Studies in Cognitive Warfare

Chapter 7: Historical Precedents and Lessons Learned

Chapter 8: Contemporary Instances of Cognitive Conflicts

Chapter 9: Election Interference and the Cognitive Battlefield

Part IV: Navigating the Strategies of Cognitive Warfare

Chapter 10: Offensive Strategies: Influence and Subversion

Chapter 11: Defensive Strategies: Countermeasures and Resilience

Chapter 12: International Law and Cognitive Warfare

Part V: Building Defenses against Cognitive Warfare

Chapter 13: Societal Resilience and Public Education

Chapter 14: Policy and Governance Frameworks

Chapter 15: The Ethics of Cognitive Defense

Part VI: The Future of Cognitive Warfare

Chapter 16: Predictive Models and Emerging Technologies

Chapter 17: Regulatory and Ethical Considerations

Chapter 18: Case Studies in Regulation and Ethics

Chapter 19: Towards a Framework for Cognitive Peace

Conclusion: Crafting a Roadmap for the Age of Unpeace

Appendices

Appendix A: Glossary of Cognitive Warfare Terminology

Appendix B: Key International Agreements and Documents

Appendix C: Resources for Further Research

Preface

In the quiet before the storm of pages that lie ahead, this preface serves as a harbinger of the journey we are about to undertake together—a journey that traverses the shadowy realms of cognitive warfare and the battlefields of the mind. Here, at the outset, we pause to reflect on the impetus behind this work and the light it seeks to cast on the most clandestine of conflicts that define our modern era.

The genesis of this book lies in the growing recognition that warfare has transcended the physical realms of land, sea, air, and space, to stake a claim on the most sacred of human territories—the cognitive landscape. This is not a territory marked by borders or bounded by physical laws; it is the boundless realm of the human psyche, where thoughts, beliefs, perceptions, and decisions reside.

In the pages that follow, we embark on an odyssey through the multifaceted dimensions of cognitive warfare. We encounter the silent weapons of this war—information, influence, manipulation, and deception—and grapple with the reality that our most intimate bastion, the human mind, has become the frontline.

This book is a call to arms, urging us to fortify our cognitive defenses against the insidious threats that seek to undermine our autonomy, manipulate our perceptions, and subvert the very foundations of our democracies. Yet, it is also a beacon of hope, illuminating the path towards resilience, education, and ethical fortitude.

The narrative woven through these chapters is one of urgency but also of caution. It demands that we confront the challenges of this new battleground with both resolve and wisdom, recognizing that in the zeal to protect, we must not become the very force of subversion that we aim to counter.

In writing this book, I have endeavored to navigate these complex waters with a keen sense of responsibility—to present a treatise that is not only informative but also thought-provoking, challenging, and ultimately, a catalyst for positive action. The insights offered herein are drawn from a wellspring of interdisciplinary research, expert interviews, and a profound contemplation of the evolving landscape of international security.

This preface is also an invitation—an invitation to policymakers, strategists, technologists, educators, and citizens—to engage in a crucial dialogue about the future of our cognitive sovereignty. It is an invitation to partake in the collective effort to craft a future where peace is not merely an interval between wars but a sustainable state of cognitive security and mutual understanding.

As you turn these pages, may you do so with an open mind and a critical eye, ready to question, to learn, and to contribute to the defense of our most precious domain—the mind. Let us step forward with the shared conviction that, though the challenges ahead are formidable, the collective will and wisdom we bring to bear on them are infinitely greater.

Welcome to a journey of discovery, of challenge, and ultimately, of hope for a world where cognitive peace is not just an aspiration but a reality. Welcome to the unfolding story of our time.

Introduction

The Dawn of Cognitive Warfare

In the annals of human conflict, the dawn of cognitive warfare marks a paradigm shift as consequential as the advent of gunpowder or the development of nuclear arms. The battlegrounds of this nascent form of strife are not the torn fields of earth nor the icy vastness of space, but the labyrinthine neural pathways and digital personas of the human psyche. Within the framework of what has been termed the Age of Unpeace, a period characterized by the ambiguity of non-peace and non-war, cognitive warfare emerges as the sixth domain of war, joining land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace.

The Age of Unpeace is a time marked by the erosion of traditional warfare's clear demarcations. Gone are the days of declared wars, easily identifiable combatants, and simple armistices. In their stead, a complex tapestry of global interactions unfurls, where nation-states, non-state actors, and individuals engage in a constant churn of influence and subversion. It is within this tapestry that cognitive warfare finds its fertile ground, flourishing in the absence of internationally recognized rules of engagement.

This new mode of conflict capitalizes on the exponential technological advancements that have defined the 21st century. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data analytics, and a host of other rapidly evolving technologies provide an arsenal of tools that, when wielded with precision, can shift the tides of public opinion, alter the outcomes of democratic elections, and even incite conflict without a single shot being fired. The weapons of cognitive warfare are subtle and insidious, designed to manipulate and control the very essence of human thought and behavior.

The introduction of cognitive warfare into the theater of global conflict underscores a fundamental transformation in the objectives of warfare. Where traditional conflicts might have sought territorial conquest or political subjugation, cognitive warfare aims for the conquest of minds and the subjugation of beliefs. It operates in the shadows of consciousness, weaving narratives that sway perceptions, implanting ideas that fester into ideologies, and exploiting the inherent vulnerabilities of the human mind.

The rise of this form of warfare has been catalyzed by the proliferation of social media and digital communication platforms. These digital forums, which were once hailed as the ultimate tools for democratization and the free exchange of ideas, have been co-opted as vectors for propaganda and misinformation. The information age, it seems, is as much about the strategic dissemination of falsehoods as it is about the access to facts. It is a testament to the double-edged nature of our interconnected existence that the same technologies that promise enlightenment also empower subversion.

In navigating the uncharted waters of the Age of Unpeace, it becomes crucial to examine the term cognitive warfare with both rigor and breadth. This form of warfare is not simply about the spread of misinformation or the occasional propaganda campaign. It is a sustained effort to undermine societal cohesion, to destabilize political systems, and to erode the trust upon which democratic institutions rely. It is psychological in its approach, strategic in its application, and technological in its execution.

Yet, the dawn of cognitive warfare is not merely a tale of doom and subversion. It also prompts a resounding call to action. It is a clarion call for the development of new defenses, the reinforcement of individual and societal resilience, and the construction of a normative framework to govern the conduct of states and non-state actors in the cognitive realm. This era demands that we look beyond the physical defense of territory and sovereignty to consider the protection of our collective consciousness.

As this book sets out to explore the nascent domain of cognitive warfare, it does so with a view to not only charting the contours of the threat but also to illuminating the pathways toward resilience and defense. The journey through these pages will traverse the historical antecedents of cognitive conflict, dissect the tools and tactics of the trade, and critically evaluate the ethical and legal challenges that arise therein.

In the subsequent chapters, the conversation will expand to encompass the multifaceted nature of this struggle. From the digital arenas where battles for hearts and minds are fought, to the international forums where the rules of this new warfare are debated, the text will provide a holistic understanding of cognitive warfare in the Age of Unpeace. It is a conversation that extends beyond military strategists and cyber experts to implicate every facet of society, for in this age, the mind is the most coveted territory of all.

◆◆◆

​The New Domain of Conflict

In an era where the once-sturdy pillars of international stability tremble under the weight of rapid technological advancement, the emergence of cognitive warfare asserts itself as the latest domain of conflict, one as intangible as it is insidious. As humanity strides into the depths of the 21st century, it finds itself ensnared in the tendrils of an Age of Unpeace, a twilight expanse wherein the certainties of old lie shattered, and the only constant is the relentless pace of change. This is an epoch where the once-clear lines of battle have blurred, where conflict is as likely to be waged on the digital frontlines of the internet as on the physical battlefields of yore.

This new domain of conflict is defined not by the clash of armies, but by the clashing of ideologies, the silent skirmish of narratives, and the invisible assault on the collective psyche. Cognitive warfare, as it stands, represents the pinnacle of this paradigm shift, leveraging emerging technologies to penetrate the sanctuaries of the human mind. It is warfare that unfolds in the minds of millions, broadcast across the ether of the internet, and written in the annals of