Information Warfare

In an era where the digital landscape has become the new frontier for conflict, information warfare has emerged as a critical threat to global stability. The proliferation of disinformation, the rise of hate speech, and the strategic manipulation of narratives by state and non-state actors have coalesced to create an environment ripe for discord, distrust, and a lack of a shared reality. This inherently sociotechnical problem will require a complex systems perspective to get any traction. Many disciplines will need to come together to derive the necessary strategies and methods to safeguard society against the manipulation of information and to maintain the sanctity of public discourse.

Currently, no universally effective solution is known to counter information warfare, reflecting the complexity and evolving nature of this threat. Furthermore, it's exceptionally challenging to define---let alone measure---effectiveness in this field due to the complex nature of how information affects human beliefs and opinions, presenting a rich field for research. Regardless, many approaches have been proposed, including regulatory policies, citizen-driven counterspeech campaigns, technological solutions, and educational programs that emphasize media literacy. It is possible that the effectiveness of countermeasures lies in their adaptability and the synergy between cross-disciplinary efforts, e.g., combining real-time detection of disinformation with digital literacy initiatives to empower individuals to discern fact from fiction and then speak out against the detected disinformation using informed theory-driven counterspeech strategies.

The primary aim of this Collection is to serve as a source of knowledge and a guide for policymakers, academics, and practitioners grappling with the nuances of detecting, understanding, and ultimately countering information warfare campaigns. As such, it will be designed to foster a deep multidisciplinary understanding of how malicious actors exploit information systems, and in turn, how these systems can be fortified. The included articles will collectively encompass a deep understanding and robust set of strategies to counter the adversarial forces that seek to fragment and fracture the information ecosystem that is so vital to the functioning of modern democratic societies. We welcome interdisciplinary Original Articles, Perspectives, and Comments from fields, including but not limited to, disinformation, hate speech, counterspeech, narrative theory, artificial intelligence, and political science, which contribute to understanding and countering all forms of information warfare.