| ID | 172632 |
| Title Proper | Social Media |
| Other Title Information | New Dimensions of Warfare |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Upadhyay, Akshat |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | This essay examines the features of social media platforms (SMPs) and their weaponisation by state and non-state actors alike. The author argues using a host of examples that the age of total war has diminished, if not obliterated completely. A state where every citizen is simultaneously a combatant and a target, a citizen’s war, has been the norm ever since the end of the Cold War. Use of SMPs has exacerbated various fault lines within societies. This has been adequately exploited by actors in Low Intensity Conflict Operations (LICO). Examples such as Hong Kong and Inter–Services Public Relations (ISPR) during the Balakot crisis come to mind. Finally, the author suggests structural, organisational and doctrinal changes by analysing various doctrines, joint and service-specific, to ensure that the Indian Armed Forces are better prepared to take advantage of this extremely potent tool, and use it not only for defence but offensive action too. |
| `In' analytical Note | USI Journal Vol. 150, No.619; Jan-Mar 2020: p.93-104 |
| Journal Source | USI Journal 2020-03 150, 619 |
| Key Words | Social Media ; New Dimensions of Warfare |