Information Warfare: October 3, 2002

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A very serious mind game is being played over Iraq. We now call this Information War, for both sides are trying to use their information more effectively than their foe. For eleven years, U.S. and British warplanes have patrolled Iraqi air space in northern and southern "no fly" zones. The warplanes have come to fly pretty predictable patterns, while the Iraqis have managed to figure out how to move their most valuable missiles and radar equipment out of the way when bombers come looking for them. The Iraqis have carefully noted what happens, and how it long it takes (for the bombs to arrive) after their anti-aircraft guns or missiles fire at the coalition warplanes. The Iraqis have been quick to move valuable equipment before the smart bombs hit where they were. The aspect of this is that the Iraqis don't know how much more quickly the bombs can hit them. What happened in Afghanistan, the stories of bombs arriving in minutes, has not been good news for Iraqis aid defense troops. But the Iraqis have long shown themselves to be very sharp in deceiving American bombers. So what they are doing now is probably not all they can do. If Iraq is invaded, brains and quick wits will become as effective as bombs and missiles. American pilots and planners will either outwit the Iraqis on the ground, or see the smart bombs do a lot of dumb things. Whoever gets outthought is going to get hurt.


 

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