Shaping the Information Environment
TOPIC SPONSOR: PACAF/PA
What are proven effective ways to shape the information environment during Phase 0/Phase I operations, specifically regarding, near-peer competitors? Do TTPs exist that PACAF/PA should be aware of to dial up and down the amount of deterrence/pressure messaging for effective deterrence and to avoid escalation?
- Bailey, Capt. Jacob. D., "Global Campaign Plans: An Effective Deterrent?" SOS AUAR (ISR) Paper, 2022, 10 pgs.
- Crimm, Mark A., "Rethinking Deterrence: Using Social Science to Improve Planning and Prediction," AF Fellows paper, 2022, 3 pgs.
- Crouch, Maj. Daniel W., "Rethinking Nuclear Crisis Management" ACSC Research Paper (SANDS), 2022, 54 pgs.
- Hickman, Lt. Col. Peter L., "Dumb Bombs, Smart Bombs, Truth Bombs?: The Soleimani Strike and the Discourse of Armed Force," SAASS Thesis, 2022, 111 pgs.
- Keohane, Maj. Christopher M., "Arguing with the Dragon: Taiwan's Counter Disinformation Campaigns and Deterring Conflict," AFGC thesis, 2025, 54 pgs.
- Keohane answers these topics by proposing a specific organizational integration to shape the information environment: Military Public Affairs (PA) and MISO, which traditionally operate separately, must collaborate openly in unclassified operations to combat disinformation. He details how PA can use its core functions—media engagement, news release management, crisis communication, and continuous monitoring—to rapidly address falsehoods during military exercises and crises. By pairing PA’s unclassified media reach with MISO’s behavioral analysis, the Joint Force can replicate Taiwan's strategy of transparent, real-time crisis communication that bolsters allied governments and neutralizes adversary messaging.
- Lubove, Capt. Jesse, "Chinese Investment in the Data Economy," SOS AUAR/ISR paper, 2022, 12 pgs.
- Rapelje, Maj. Crystal L., "Leveraging Air Force Intelligence to Maximize Adversary Reactions to Operational Exercises," AF Global College thesis, 2025, 54 pgs.
- Yelnicker, Lt. Col. Mary C., "The Grammar of Nuclear Deterrence," Air Force Fellows paper, 2022, 3 pgs.