The article discusses the emergence of cognitive warfare, practiced notably by Russia and China, as a significant new battlefield targeting the minds of Western populations. It details how disinformation campaigns and propaganda, including false narratives about political events and social issues, are deliberately spread to sow division and weaken societal cohesion. Examples include Russian misinformation on social media concerning political figures and Ukrainian refugees. The article highlights official warnings from UK intelligence leaders about coordinated hostile campaigns to generate chaos and manipulate perceptions. It emphasizes the need for increased defensive efforts, including funding for the BBC World Service and enhanced information resilience to counteract the pervasive and sophisticated influence operations conducted via social media and other platforms. The piece warns that cognitive warfare does not rely on physical violence but on undermining societal beliefs and trust, necessitating vigilant and comprehensive responses.

The article discusses the emergence of cognitive warfare, practiced notably by Russia and China, as a significant new battlefield targeting the minds of Western populations. It details how disinformation campaigns and propaganda, including false narratives about political events and social issues, are deliberately spread to sow division and weaken societal cohesion. Examples include Russian misinformation on social media concerning political figures and Ukrainian refugees. The article highlights official warnings from UK intelligence leaders about coordinated hostile campaigns to generate chaos and manipulate perceptions. It emphasizes the need for increased defensive efforts, including funding for the BBC World Service and enhanced information resilience to counteract the pervasive and sophisticated influence operations conducted via social media and other platforms. The piece warns that cognitive warfare does not rely on physical violence but on undermining societal beliefs and trust, necessitating vigilant and comprehensive responses.