Cognitive warfare is defined as a novel threat involving state and non-state hostile actors employing scientific knowledge and digital technology to distort an adversary’s thought processes, situational awareness, and decision-making capability. Emerging prominently in the US around 15 years prior, it has evolved beyond traditional info-ops to utilize measurable cognitive science approaches involving neuroscience, linguistics, psychology, and AI. Specific methods include personalized digital harassment to disrupt short-term thinking, and suspected invasive neurobiological attacks such as the 2016 Havana syndrome, which exemplify physical cognitive attacks. The article emphasizes the subtle and prolonged effects on cognitive personalities, complicating detection and attribution. Protective strategies include physical safeguarding, fostering critical thinking, and digital literacy. The French Gecko project exemplifies efforts to train military and civilian personnel for cognitive warfare threats through scenario-based exercises. The piece also calls for ethical debates regarding these emerging weapons against democratic resilience.

Cognitive warfare is defined as a novel threat involving state and non-state hostile actors employing scientific knowledge and digital technology to distort an adversary’s thought processes, situational awareness, and decision-making capability. Emerging prominently in the US around 15 years prior, it has evolved beyond traditional info-ops to utilize measurable cognitive science approaches involving neuroscience, linguistics, psychology, and AI. Specific methods include personalized digital harassment to disrupt short-term thinking, and suspected invasive neurobiological attacks such as the 2016 Havana syndrome, which exemplify physical cognitive attacks. The article emphasizes the subtle and prolonged effects on cognitive personalities, complicating detection and attribution. Protective strategies include physical safeguarding, fostering critical thinking, and digital literacy. The French Gecko project exemplifies efforts to train military and civilian personnel for cognitive warfare threats through scenario-based exercises. The piece also calls for ethical debates regarding these emerging weapons against democratic resilience.