NeuroSrtike: A new weapon of warfare requiring urgent prophylactic steps
October 10, 2023, 8:57 PM IST
SD Pradhan in Chanakya Code, politics, World, TOI, The Times Of India
S D Pradhan has served as chairman of India’s Joint Intelligence Committee. He has also been the country’s deputy national security adviser. He was chairman of the Task Force on Intelligence Mechanism (2008-2010), which was constituted to review the functioning of the intelligence agencies. He has taught at the departments of defence studies and history at the Punjabi University, Patiala. He was also a visiting professor at the University of Illinois, US, in the department of arms control and disarmament studies. The ministry of defence had utilized his services for the preparation of official accounts of the 1971 war and the counterinsurgency operations in the northeast. In the JIC/National Security Council secretariat, he was closely involved with the preparation of the reports of the Kargil Review Committee and the Group of Ministers on national security as also with the implementation of their recommendations. His publications include two books and several articles.
The present case against an online news portal, which is under investigation, underlines the need for taking precautionary measures against the invisible but highly effective dimensions of NeuroStrike, which is the main element of cognitive warfare, not only by the government agencies but also by common people, who are its primary target. Hence, a proper understanding of this weapon is essential.
Broadly, two types of weapons are used in cognitive warfare and both aim at manipulating the cognitive capabilities (neuro-system) of targets. First, microwave or energy-based weapons known as NeuroStrike or neuro-cognitive disruptors are reported to be very effective if used within 3,000 meters. If attacked repeatedly, they can impair the cognitive capabilities of targets permanently. This method can be used during military operations and important diplomatic meetings to confuse the targets and destroy their capability to make correct decisions. These weapons were used against the US diplomats in Havana and China used them against protestors in Hong Kong in 2019. Reports in the media also suggest that these were used by the Chinese police stations abroad to target those opposing Chinese viewpoints.
Second, the use of IoT, print and electronic media and other means of propaganda (Influence Operations) to manipulate the cognitive domain of the population, decision-makers, or military commanders. Data of the targets is meticulously collected and specially designed operations are launched to manipulate them. It is not merely to deny information or confuse the targets, but to obtain the desired action from targets.
The above weapons create an ‘inside of the action’ in the target’s brain (final thought after considering various available options), which results in the desired action from the target. Social engineering, which constitutes a part of psychological operations, is used to trick users into making security mistakes and reveal sensitive data.
A US report entitled “Enumerating, Targeting and Collapsing the Chinese Communist Party’s NeuroStrike Program” (published in July 2023) revealed that China has developed a new type of neuro-strike weapons, which are not only capable of impairing the cognitive capabilities of targets but can also manipulate their brains, giving away sensitive information. While another US report indicated that the PRC tries to turn local US leaders into “its proxies to advocate the policies that Beijing desires,” an Indian report of the Law and Society Alliance brought out how the Chinese influence operations were manipulating the perceptions of targets in different sectors using several alternative means such as financial investments, fellowships, travel courtesies and coercion can be extremely damaging in the long run.
The report envisions how these weapons can be used by China to occupy areas. The PLA can target the soldiers and civilians in the region to be occupied by releasing specific weaponised bacterial strains and then inserting immunised PLA troops to control the area. Any remaining sources of resistance on the ground are then dealt with through CCP Neuro-Strike weaponry that instils intense fear and/or other forms of cognitive incoherence resulting in inaction.
There are three special characteristics of these weapons. First, they are not visible and their impact is felt later; second, attribution poses a serious problem; and third, targets remain convinced of the arguments planted by the initiators of cognitive warfare and act as their agents.
To respond to this challenge, while government agencies must constantly adapt their technological and organisational infrastructures and update their professional culture, the population must also be aware of the deleterious impact of such operations. This is necessary to avoid the danger of being surpassed by the sudden development of new, and potentially destabilising instruments. NGOs and the private sector should also be involved in launching an effective and strong awareness campaign.
The intelligence agencies must be geared to provide timely information about such operations. The training, staffing pattern, and recruitment policies need a review so that they can focus on cognitive warfare. There is also a case for structural changes to have a holistic intelligence assessment of cognitive operations. This demands closer cooperation between the armed forces and civilian intelligence agencies on this dimension. A separate specialised wing of intelligence analysis based on a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the tools used, plans for manipulations, contents of misinformation, and the strengths and weaknesses of the socio-economic-political-religious environment in which the influence operations operate, is imperative. Both civil and armed forces intelligence agencies should arrange analytic training in new tools and techniques including multiple conceptual frameworks, multiplayer gaming, interdisciplinary studies, complexity science and networked systems behaviours, creative thinking and ‘sense-making’ methods.
Advanced research should be encouraged to develop weapons to counter energy-based weapons. AI should be used to alert the population, diplomats, and armed forces about the attacks, when they take place, and automatically provide cover to contain the attack on the system. This may take some time but a beginning should be made right now. Defensive capabilities against energy-based weapons (neurocognitive disruptors) should be built as soon as possible.
More important is to create awareness among the population, which remains the primary target. The social media platforms are being misused so skilfully that the users hardly perceive that they are being targeted by adversaries. NGOs having experts on this aspect should be formed to create an effective awareness programme. This investment is necessary to ensure that the domestic population does not become a weapon of adversaries. While the supporters of freedom of speech are likely to oppose such moves, a sustained effort can make them see the complete picture of adversaries’ nefarious designs.
Our legal system also needs to be tightened. All advanced countries have covered this aspect under their cyber security doctrines. As cognitive warfare depends on cyberspace for operations, they have formulated cyber strategies to deter opponents. India can consider having a declaratory robust cyber strategy doctrine with an emphasis on deterrence to dissuade the key adversaries and groups supported by them from launching attacks to some extent.