NCJ Number
190994
Editor(s)
Stuart J. D. Schwartzstein
Date Published
1996
Length
294 pages
Annotation
This book contains a collection of essays regarding information warfare, defense, and the changes in the conduct of conflict that are resulting from new information technologies.
Abstract
The first part of the book deals primarily with many of the developments and implications for society of the information revolution. There are observations on how the American people should think about the information revolution, understanding the information infrastructure, and assessing the risk to financial systems in the digital age. First Amendment issues relating to national security are another topic, along with information issues that are also global in scope and impact. In addition, topics dealing with the role of the media, as well as White House public policy considerations are discussed. The second part of the book offers different perspectives on information warfare. The impact that current and future changes will have on militaries and national security is discussed. The conflict in the information age is examined, with perspectives on the resilience society needs and the creativity the military needs to survive such conflict. How to look at conflict in the postindustrial age is analyzed and a taxonomy on which to base thinking is offered. Information is placed within the context of national power and its growing role in the formulation of grand strategy is examined. A different perspective is provided on the use of information, discussing “virtual reality” and wargames in the context of Bosnia. Developments in information and their impacts on strategy as they are viewed in China and the Third World are examined. Moving to a broader outlook, the view is taken that the changes often hailed as information warfare are seen as less than revolutionary but as successors to changes brought about much earlier this century. Finally, the challenges that are facing the United States national security establishment as it attempts to reorganize itself around the information revolution are examined, as well as pointing out the dangers of resting on the current information warfare laurels. Bibliography