In the extreme form of cognitive warfare, a society can be divided and fragmented so that its collective will to resist the enemy’s goals is eliminated.
In this way, the enemy will be able to dominate a society without using force or coercion.
The objectives of cognitive warfare may be limited and short-term, or they may take on a strategic and long-term aspect and continue for decades.
A campaign can be designed with a limited goal; for example, to prevent the execution of a military maneuver as planned or to force a change in a specific political course.
At the same time, several consecutive campaigns may be designed for a long-term goal; a goal such as disrupting the functioning of societies or alliances.
These campaigns can be pursued by creating doubt about the government, inciting social unrest, or fueling separatist movements.
When repeated over time, such efforts weaken national resilience, making populations less able to unify even in the face of genuine threats.
Strategic adversaries understand that the collapse of social cohesion and trust in institutions paves the way for influence without tanks, bombs, or open warfare.
The most effective operations operate below the threshold of open conflict, embedding themselves in culture, politics, and everyday communication until they become indistinguishable from normal discourse.
