#224 Jake Bebber on Cognitive Warfare

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association.

During this episode, Jake Bebber discusses his work related to the concept, challenges, and potential responses to cognitive warfare. Jake explains how cognitive warfare uses technology to manipulate cognition and behavior, emphasizing its distinction from traditional information warfare and its potential impact across various domains. The conversation covers the need for a structured ontology to understand and address cognitive warfare, as well as the importance of maintaining American values while developing strategies to combat these threats.

Recording Date: 5 May 2025

Research Question: Jake Bebber suggests an interested student or researcher examine several topics, such as:

• How to protect personal privacy in an environment of persistent cognitive manipulation.
• The legal, moral, and ethical boundaries related to cognitive warfare.
• How cognitive warfare impacts alliance structures.
• How to fortify critical infrastructure against attacks that blend tangible and intangible elements in the cognitive space.
• How to ensure democratic systems remain tenable.
• The best ways to organize and compete in the cognitive warfare space, including identifying key stakeholders beyond traditional national security ecosystems.
• Lessons that can be drawn from the past, especially the Cold War, regarding competition with a long-term peer competitor.

Resources:

• Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned
  • #212 Libby Lange on Algorithmic Cognitive Warfare
• Cognitive Competition, Conflict, and War: An Ontological Approach by Jake Bebber
• Cognitive Competition, Conflict, and War by Jake Beber
• Neurotechnology in National Security and Defense by James Giordano
• Mind Wars: Brain Research and National Defense by Jonathan D. Moreno
• Minds at War: China’s Pursuit of Military Advantage through Cognitive Science and Biotechnology By Elsa B. Kania
• James Giordano
• Cognitive Security Institute

Link to full show notes and resources

Guest Bio: Robert “Jake” Bebber is an officer in the United States Navy. He has served at various locations throughout his career, including Fort Meade, US 7th Fleet, Carrier Strike Group 12, Information Warfare Training Command-Corry Station, and US Special Operations Command. He holds a PhD in public policy from the University of Central Florida. His writings have appeared in Proceedings, Orbis, Journal of Information Warfare, Journal of Political Risk, Comparative Strategy, and elsewhere. He is supported by his wife, Dana, and their two boys, Vincent and Zachary.

About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain.

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