Waging fifth generation warfare

Fifth-generation warfare is non-kinetic. It is non-physical warfare in the information age. It can be combined with kinetic warfare, or it can be a stand-alone option. The goal of fifth-generation warfare is the deliberate manipulation of a recipient’s world-view to achieve a desired outcome.

Psychological operations (PSYOPs) work to convey selected information and propaganda to audiences to influence their motives and objective reasoning. It is used to manipulate the behavior of individuals, groups, organizations, governments and large foreign powers, such as the United Nations.

NATO calls the combination of fifth-generation PsyWar and kinetic war “hybrid warfare"; this has become central to NATO battle strategy.