This study discusses salient trends demonstrated by contemporary warfare of these first years of the 21st century. The authors reinforce previous notions of Fourth Generation Warfare, but most importantly explore the workings of new components and how these have modified the theory and practice of warfare beyond the basic divisions of conventional and unconventional warfare as witnessed in the preceding century. Throughout history there has been a close interaction between politics, communication and armed conflict and a main line of investigation of this book is to track changes that are presumed to have occurred in the way and manner in which armed conflicts are waged.
Using cogent examples drawn variously from conflicts of the Arab Spring, the Islamic State and Russian adventurism in South Ossetia, Crimea and Eastern Ukraine, the authors demonstrate the application of Information Warfare, the practice of Hybrid Warfare, and offensive use of diplomacy, communications, economics and international law to obtain political and military advantages against the status quo states of the international community.
The authors combine a theoretical framework with concrete empirical examples in order to create a better understanding and comprehension of the current events and processes that shape the character of contemporary armed conflicts and how they are informed and perceived in a highly mediatised and politicised world.
Using cogent examples drawn variously from conflicts of the Arab Spring, the Islamic State and Russian adventurism in South Ossetia, Crimea and Eastern Ukraine, the authors demonstrate the application of Information Warfare, the practice of Hybrid Warfare, and offensive use of diplomacy, communications, economics and international law to obtain political and military advantages against the status quo states of the international community.
The authors combine a theoretical framework with concrete empirical examples in order to create a better understanding and comprehension of the current events and processes that shape the character of contemporary armed conflicts and how they are informed and perceived in a highly mediatised and politicised world.
"For anyone interested in the relationships between warfare, information, communication and public opinion this is a must read. The book's great value is that it helps lift the curtain on how informational/psychological warfare is currently deployed in battles over public opinion. This is a timely contribution towards lifting some of the fog of war." - Eric Louw, University of Queensland, Australia.
"I recommend this book for its impressive contributions to news framing of war-related and terrorist events and for its emphasis on hybrid warfare and informational war (such as Russia's "alternative" or 'PsyOp" war)." - Professor Jonathan Matusitz, University of Central Florida, USA.
"Simons and Chifu address the complexities of the contemporary conflict environment, capturing the weakened mainstream media environment and the dramatically increased importance of 'strategic communication' and propaganda activities. The case studies, covering the post 9/11 era are detailed and important contributions to the existing stock of knowledge on media, security and conflict. Essential reading."- Professor Piers Robinson; Chair in Politics, Society and Political Journalism, University of Sheffield.
"I recommend this book for its impressive contributions to news framing of war-related and terrorist events and for its emphasis on hybrid warfare and informational war (such as Russia's "alternative" or 'PsyOp" war)." - Professor Jonathan Matusitz, University of Central Florida, USA.
"Simons and Chifu address the complexities of the contemporary conflict environment, capturing the weakened mainstream media environment and the dramatically increased importance of 'strategic communication' and propaganda activities. The case studies, covering the post 9/11 era are detailed and important contributions to the existing stock of knowledge on media, security and conflict. Essential reading."- Professor Piers Robinson; Chair in Politics, Society and Political Journalism, University of Sheffield.