The Theory and Practice of Influence Operations

Overview: This course examines influence operations as a decisive instrument of modern strategy, tracing their evolution from classical propaganda and psychological warfare to today’s digitally enabled information campaigns. It situates influence within the broader doctrines of hybrid conflict, great-power rivalry, and non-kinetic warfare, emphasizing its capacity to shape perceptions, narratives, and strategic outcomes without recourse to conventional force.

Designed for students and professionals in international relations, defense, intelligence, and cyber security, the course blends theoretical inquiry with practical case studies ranging from Cold War disinformation to Russian operations in Ukraine, ISIS propaganda, and Indo-Pacific information contests.

By its conclusion, participants will be able to evaluate and deconstruct influence campaigns, understand their integration within broader strategic competition, and anticipate emerging challenges posed by synthetic media, AI-driven manipulation, and the weaponization of information in the twenty-first century battlespace.