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Cognitive Warfare: Definition, Framework, and Case Study

Bonnie Rushing, William Hersch, Shouhuai Xu

Abstract

Cognitive warfare has emerged as a central feature of modern conflict, yet it remains inconsistently defined and difficult to evaluate. Existing approaches often treat cognitive operations as a subset of information operations, limiting the ability to assess cognitive attacker-defender interactions or determine when advantage has been achieved. This article proposes a unified definition of cognitive warfare, introduces an interaction framework grounded in the OODA loop, and identifies measurable attributes associated with cognitive superiority. To illustrate the use of the framework, a notional case study demonstrates how these concepts can be applied to assess cognitive attacks and defenses in a contested environment. Thus, the framework provides joint force leaders and analysts with a practical foundation for understanding, comparing, and evaluating cognitive warfare campaigns.

Cognitive Warfare: Definition, Framework, and Case Study

Abstract

Cognitive warfare has emerged as a central feature of modern conflict, yet it remains inconsistently defined and difficult to evaluate. Existing approaches often treat cognitive operations as a subset of information operations, limiting the ability to assess cognitive attacker-defender interactions or determine when advantage has been achieved. This article proposes a unified definition of cognitive warfare, introduces an interaction framework grounded in the OODA loop, and identifies measurable attributes associated with cognitive superiority. To illustrate the use of the framework, a notional case study demonstrates how these concepts can be applied to assess cognitive attacks and defenses in a contested environment. Thus, the framework provides joint force leaders and analysts with a practical foundation for understanding, comparing, and evaluating cognitive warfare campaigns.
Paper Structure (71 sections, 1 figure, 5 tables)

This paper contains 71 sections, 1 figure, 5 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Contributions
  3. Related Work
  4. Prior Studies on Definitions of Cognitive Warfare and Influence.
  5. Prior Studies on Attacker–Defender Interaction Models.
  6. Prior Studies on Metrics and Evaluation of Cognitive Effects.
  7. Paper Outline
  8. Conceptual Framework for Cognitive Warfare
  9. Defining Attributes to Characterize Cognitive Warfare (Answering RQ1)
  10. 1. Objectives (Effects over short and long horizons).
  11. 2. Capabilities (Achieving objectives under contest).
  12. 3. Cost and efficiency (Sustaining advantage).
  13. Cognitive Attacks Definition
  14. Attacker Objectives
  15. Short-horizon (acute) attacker objectives.
  16. ...and 56 more sections

Figures (1)

  • Figure 1: The proposed framework for describing, understanding, and characterizing cognitive warfare. Each OODA loop stage represents a contested function in which the cognitive attacker (red) seeks to disrupt, delay, or distort the defender's cognitive processes, while the cognitive defender (blue) seeks to preserve decision advantage. Feedback loops reflect the adaptive nature of both sides. Cognitive superiority is achieved when one actor (i.e., attacker or defender) maintains sufficient advantage to perform OODA loop actions with reduced interference across short (acute) and long (chronic) horizons.

Theorems & Definitions (4)

  • Definition 1: Cognitive Attacks RushingXu2025
  • Definition 2: Cognitive Defenses
  • Definition 3: Cognitive Warfare
  • Definition 4: Cognitive Superiority