Information as a Weapon

The concept of information warfare (IW) continues to gain visibility within political and military arenas in the United States. Active discourse by individuals in the government and private circles regarding what constitutes the proper emphasis on and employment of IW indicates the subject is still shrouded in controversy. In the simplest terms, literature on the role of information war exists in two categories: as information in warfare and as information warfare. The former discusses information in the more traditional notion of a support for decision making and combat operations. The latter, however, uses information as a weapon in and of itself in warfare. This thesis addresses the second theme and questions whether information is a weapon. The author employs the theories and principles of Carl von Clausewitz as a theoretical underpinning for critical analysis. The study investigates whether information as a weapon can achieve the purposes of war. Specifically, can the use of the "information weapon" diminish an adversary's will and capacity to fight.