Ebook: Bullets and blogs : new media and the warfighter : an analytical synthesis and workshop report

In recent years, adversaries, armed with new media capabilities and an information-led warfighting strategy, have proven themselves capable of challenging the most powerful militaries in the world. Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and blogs have arguably become as important to the strategic outcome of military operations as bullets, troops and air power. In recognition of the new media challenge, the U.S. Army War College hosted a workshop in January 2008, entitled "Bullets and Blogs: New Media and the Warfighter" at which case studies drawn from the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War in Lebanon sparked debate. This conflict marked an important milestone for warfare in the information age, as the non-state actor, Hezbollah, proved capable of thwarting Israel's primary war aims and forcing a battlefield stalemate. While Hezbollah stood little chance of prevailing militarily against the Israeli Defense Forces, its strategic victory was achieved by way of an information-led warfighting strategy that leveraged new media to influence the political will of key global audiences, including the Israeli public. The 2006 war previewed characteristics of hybrid conflict that U.S. forces may encounter in the future.  Read more...