Abstract
Controlling the narrative is seen as an essential component of fighting wars, and in the era of digital communications technology this is arguably more critical than ever before. How actors have attempted to control and weaponize information in conflicts both past and present is the focus of Information at War by Philip Seib. The subject matter is understandably broad and complex. A book of this length can, therefore, only provide an overview of notable developments over the last century. That said, it does make an important contribution to extant literature on media and conflict, especially with respect to warfare in the information age.
The book comprises seven chapters which chart major developments since the Second World War with regard to the dissemination of information during wartime, and attempts by state and non-state actors to manage and control it. In the first chapter the focus is on the reporting of Edward Murrow during the Blitz, and the importance attributed to this in precipitating intervention in the war by the United States. While radio was believed to an important factor in this respect, Seib argues that it was Franklin Roosevelt’s political rhetoric and not the medium that ultimately led to direct US involvement in the war. From here the discussion turns to the Vietnam war and the perceived influence television had on its outcome. What emerges is that important lessons were being learnt about the need to more carefully manage the information being disseminated from the battlefield to audiences following the developments in conflicts.
The next two chapters deal with the period subsequent to the Vietnam war, and efforts to curtail the relative freedoms enjoyed by the US media in particular after World War. As Seib notes, this has entailed strict censorship, but also cultivating favourable relationships with the media. Well-known examples of the first strategy include the British government’s attempts to restrict information from the Falklands/Malvinas war in the early 1980s. With respect to the second, a fairly detailed account is provided of how CNN was able to provide ‘real time’ coverage of the first Gulf war in 1991, enabled by the US military to ensure that its actions were reported on favourably. 10 years later ‘embedded’ reporting became synonymous with coverage of the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. Neither of these strategies are a recent development, however, they remain integral to present-day military operations. Over the past two decades, scholars have produced a comprehensive body of literature dealing with these two themes. Much of what Seib writes here restates prevailing arguments with respect to the tensions which exist between the media and the military (see, for instance, Carruthers, 2011; Knightley, 2004; Parry and Goddard, 2017; Taylor, 2003).
From chapter 4 onward, the influence of more recent technologies such as smartphones and social media and how they have shaped the coverage, and possibly the conduct, of wars in the digital age is discussed. Noteworthy in this respect is Seib’s view that the photographic image continues to be perceived as the purveyor of truth in war. Accompanying this, however, are concerns about how newer technologies have enabled the dissemination of fake and manipulated images, and the implications for the media. Seib discusses how terrorist organisations such as the self-proclaimed Islamic State in the past established an online presence that commanded a worldwide audience (for more detailed insights into its practices see Al-Dayel (2021) and Anfinson (2021)). The social media strategies of the Israeli government and the Israeli Defense Forces are also discussed. In the era of asymmetric warfare this is especially relevant. The argument is made that weaker actors, such as Hamas, which is unable to challenge Israel militarily, can do so through social media. It can thus function as an “equalizer” (p.111). Seib rightly points out, however, that this overstates the capabilities of such technology. In addition, it underscores the importance of the surrounding socio-political context and the influence of powerful external actors in ultimately determining the trajectory of conflicts. A worthwhile supplement to the discussion about the Israeli government’s deployment of social media is Kuntsmen and Stein’s (2015) Digital militarism: Israel’s occupation in the social media age.
The final chapters of the book provide some fresh perspectives on recent and ongoing developments concerned with how information is being weaponized. Seib devotes a chapter to Russia’s activities, and he describes the country as currently “the most accomplished information warrior” (p.116). The extensive attention to Russia does, however, raise questions. It is undoubtedly a highly sophisticated and powerful actor, and researchers have paid attention to its actions, especially since its annexation of Crimea in 2014. However, other influential states around the world are also engaging in similar types of information warfare. A much-needed addition to this part of the book would therefore have been to identify some of the tactics currently in use by the United States, Britain and other Western liberal democracies. Equally important is examining the relationship between militaries and large technology companies such as Meta (Facebook), Twitter, Google and Microsoft, and their roles in shaping the flow of information from the frontlines of conflicts.
The use, manipulation and weaponization of information has for centuries been an essential component of warfare. In the digital era such practices have intensified, which has resulted in an information sphere beset by complexities. This can be attributed to the rapid development of digital technologies, coupled with increasingly sophisticated attempts by political actors to dominate this sphere. Information at War provides a useful entry point that helps the reader to navigate a number of these complexities. The chronological sequencing of the book is helpful in that it identifies significant events in past wars, and their influence on current practices. The examples provided about how state actors weaponize information in contemporary wars are, in my view, the book’s most valuable contribution. As the most influential actors in conflicts, it is essential that future research continues to examine and interrogate such strategies.