Information Warfare: October 3, 2002

Archives

A very serious mind game is being played over Iraq. We now call this Information War, for both sides are trying to use their information more effectively than their foe. For eleven years, U.S. and British warplanes have patrolled Iraqi air space in northern and southern "no fly" zones. The warplanes have come to fly pretty predictable patterns, while the Iraqis have managed to figure out how to move their most valuable missiles and radar equipment out of the way when bombers come looking for them. The Iraqis have carefully noted what happens, and how it long it takes (for the bombs to arrive) after their anti-aircraft guns or missiles fire at the coalition warplanes. The Iraqis have been quick to move valuable equipment before the smart bombs hit where they were. The aspect of this is that the Iraqis don't know how much more quickly the bombs can hit them. What happened in Afghanistan, the stories of bombs arriving in minutes, has not been good news for Iraqis aid defense troops. But the Iraqis have long shown themselves to be very sharp in deceiving American bombers. So what they are doing now is probably not all they can do. If Iraq is invaded, brains and quick wits will become as effective as bombs and missiles. American pilots and planners will either outwit the Iraqis on the ground, or see the smart bombs do a lot of dumb things. Whoever gets outthought is going to get hurt.


 


Article Archive

Information Warfare: Current 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 


X

ad
0
20

Help Keep Us Soaring

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling. We need your help in reversing that trend. We would like to add 20 new subscribers this month.

Each month we count on your subscriptions or contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage. A contribution is not a donation that you can deduct at tax time, but a form of crowdfunding. We store none of your information when you contribute..
Subscribe   Contribute   Close