From Psychological Operations to Cyber Influence Operations
Evolution of the Battle for the Mind
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63595/rcn.v8i1.20852Keywords:
Psychological Operations, Cyber Influence Operations, Strategic StudiesAbstract
The consolidation of cyberspace as a central domain of political, economic, and social interaction has profoundly transformed the projection of power in international affairs. Cyber influence operations have emerged as strategic instruments that shape perceptions, social attitudes, and decision-making within the cognitive domain, exploiting the speed, scale, and interconnectivity of digital networks. This article investigates the evolution of psychological operations (PSYOPS) and their continuities and transformations in contemporary cyber influence operations. Using a literature review grounded in strategic studies, international relations, and communication, it analyzes both historical sources, including the work of Paul M. A. Linebarger, and contemporary scholarship on digital disinformation. The study develops a comparative and theoretically informed framework to understand how PSYOPS have adapted to the digital environment. The article is structured in two main sections: the first addresses the historical dimensions of PSYOPS, while the second examines their digital transformation, including a brief case study of contemporary cyber influence campaigns. In conclusion, cyber influence operations should be understood as a continuation and amplification of PSYOPS principles in the digital age.
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