Subversion The Strategic Weaponization of Narratives

"Andreas Krieg examines how state and nonstate actors weaponize narratives in the information space to subvert a target audience or government. One of the most important contributions of the work is his argument that these subversive information operations can achieve strategic, not just tactical effects, through a six-stage process. Subversive information operations rely on networks consisting of a range of virtual, human, and organizational surrogates who help a patron to spread its narratives to subvert the target. This type of subversion is aimed at undermining a community's trust in authority, most notably those established authorities that produce, vet, and disseminate information and knowledge. The subversion of trust between community and authority may eventually threaten sociopolitical cohesion and can mobilize unrest both in the virtual and physical space. After a conceptual discussion, Krieg closely examines subversion campaigns by two states in particular, Russia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Krieg concludes by offering recommendations about how vulnerable states and communities can become more resilient"--