Psychological warfare - Definition and Overview

The U.S. Department of Defense defines Psychological warfare (PSYWAR) as:

"The planned use of propaganda and other psychological actions having the primary purpose of influencing the opinions, emotions, attitudes, and behavior of hostile foreign groups in such a way as to support the achievement of national objectives."

Methods

• Distributing leaflets, e.g. in the Gulf War, encouraging desertion
• propaganda radio stations, such as Lord Haw-Haw in World War II on the Germany calling station
• Renaming cities and other places when captured, such as Baghdad airport
• shock and awe military strategy
• terrorism (as asymmetric warfare)

See also:

• information warfare
• PSYOPS