Ungentlemanly conduct daring and determination in information manoeuvre

ABSTRACT

During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian information campaign left much to be desired. The subsequent discussion underlines the importance of information in conflict situations. The British and Netherlands Army both focus on information manoeuvre. This article therefore first discusses what information manoeuvre is and how it originated. Furthermore, this article also discusses, when information manoeuvre is used, what should specifically be engaged? This involves two leverage points, trust and perceptions. Finally, this article discusses that the application of information maoeuvre requires courage on the one hand but, on the other, that careful and ethical considerations are needed before information manoeuvre is used.

KEYWORDS:

• Russian invasion in Ukraine
• British army
• Royal Netherlands army
• information manoeuvre
• trust and perception

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Han Bouwmeester

Han Bouwmeester PhD is a professor of Operational-Military Studies at the Netherlands Defence Academy, and an active artillery officer. He commanded at platoon, battery and battalion level within the Netherlands Artillery. He studied at the Vrije University in Amsterdam (NLD) and the School of Advanced Military Studies in Ft Leavenworth, KS (USA). Later he received his doctorate from Utrecht University (NLD) for the thesis ‘Krym Nash’ (Crimea is ours), which is focused on modern Russian deception warfare. Han publishes regularly on modern Russian warfare, operational art, deception, and information operations.