On Facts and Fiction of “Information Warfare”

Abstract

Information Warfare has become a keyword for a revolution in military operations with far reaching political consequences, just as well as it is a phrase for pure military science fiction. It is thus necessary to separate the media hype from the development of information technology and its broad use by the military. It is shown how Information Warfare has developed from its origins in the use of computers for command and control, in weapons systems, and from electronical and psychological warfare into a new and comprehensive way of military operations. The political implications of this change are addressed together with the limits to conflict resolution by technical means.