Social media has become an integral part of hybrid warfare

 

Social media has become an integral part of hybrid warfare, which is a military strategy that combines conventional warfare, irregular warfare, and cyber warfare with other influencing methods, such as fake news, diplomacy, lawfare, and foreign electoral intervention1. Social media platforms are widely used to coordinate actions, collect information, and, most importantly, to influence the beliefs and attitudes of target audiences, even mobilize them for action.

Hybrid warfare actors use social media to spread propaganda, disinformation, and conspiracy theories to sow confusion, undermine trust in democratic institutions, and manipulate public opinion. They also use social media to conduct cyberattacks, such as phishing, malware, and ransomware, to steal sensitive information, disrupt critical infrastructure, and cause economic damage.

To defend against hybrid warfare, India need to develop digital literacy and critical thinking skills to identify and counter disinformation and propaganda on social media. They also need to enhance situational awareness, strengthen resilience, develop countermeasures, strengthen international cooperation, and invest in research and development.

It’s important to note that social media is a constantly evolving phenomenon, and hybrid warfare actors are constantly adapting their tactics and strategies to exploit new vulnerabilities and opportunities. Therefore, India must remain vigilant and adaptable to effectively defend against hybrid warfare