American Information Warfare on Iraq in the War Of 2003

Abstract

This analytical study aimed at focusing on the elements of the information warfare campaign waged against Iraq in 2003 war: definition, management, objectives, functions, media, types, target audiences, and its aspects of success and shortcomings. The study concluded that: although the coalition forces achieved military, technological, and information superiority in the war against Iraq by destroying its communication infrastructure, command, and control information systems. Although the information campaign seized the domestic public opinion, it did not achieve all its objectives by controlling the international public opinion, the hearts, and minds of the Iraqi leadership, military and population and make them surrender. The information warfare campaign used deception, mismanagement of the resources, disinformation, destruction, and did not read the Iraqi mind very well as well as did not take into considerations the post – war development; so far, America and Iraqi opposition are the victims of their information warfare deceptive.