The European Union's Approach to Cognitive Warfare’s Command and Control

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Ali Karami, Afshin Mottaghi Dastenaei

Abstract

Cognitive warfare has evolved alongside advances in technology, psychology, and communication methods, reflecting a growing understanding of how to influence and control human minds. Cognitive warfare refers to efforts to influence, manipulate, or control public perceptions, decision-making processes, and behaviors using psychological, informational, or technological tactics that often blur the lines between the military and civilian domains. From ancient psychological tactics to artificial intelligence-based disinformation campaigns, the essence of cognitive warfare is the same: shaping perceptions and behavior in ways that often achieve strategic goals without the need for physical force. One of the most important aspects of cognitive warfare is its command and control, which naturally has multiple perspectives. This article aims to understand the European Union’s approach to command and control of cognitive warfare. The main research question is what similarities and differences does the European Union’s approach to command and control of cognitive warfare have with other approaches? The method of this article is descriptive-analytical. The required data was obtained by referring to library sources as well as reputable scientific research articles and official documents. The research findings show that the European Union's approach to command and control in cognitive warfare is shaped by its broader strategy for hybrid threats, cybersecurity, and defense, with a focus on resilience, collective security, and democratic values. The European Union's approach to command and control in cognitive warfare integrates multi-level efforts to protect information integrity, increase public resilience, and promote digital governance while respecting democratic values. Also, in the Union's approach, cooperation with international partners and continuous development of capabilities in command and control of the growing domain of cognitive warfare is crucial.

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