NIDS Commentary No. 163
1
The speech and conduct of the rioters who participated in the storming of the United States Capitol
on 6 January 2021, showed the characteristics of narrative, emotionality, as well as temporality which
connects past, present, and future, such as nostalgia. Hence, this paper examines the implications on
warfare in the cognitive domain, based on these perspectives.
A narrative is an information vector that maintains a certain quantity and direction, and tends to be
processed mechanically in the information space. In reality however, it invades the psychology and
cognitive domains of human beings through the virtual domain of information and communication
networks. The battle of narratives is no more than a part of the battles in the virtual and
cognitive domains, in which invisible bullets fly by in all directions.
Security and defense encompass the preservation of the peace and security of Japan, fulfilment of its
existence, as well as the protection of its people’s lives, bodies, property, and territorial land, water,
and airspace. In light of this, it is necessary to understand the basic nature of narrative, and to utilize
it correctly and effectively.
From the perspective of human emotions, victimhood, nostalgia, and collective narcissism also
have an impact on group behavior. In particular, in cases where state actors, terrorists, or
extremist groups incorporate these into the narratives, there is a need to penetrate the intentions
as well as to analyse the functions with great caution.
With regard to temporality, in the field of defense, there is a need to place the focus on the viewpoints
of buying time on our end while simultaneously depriving the other party of their time, constant
interference with the other party’s decision-making and situational awareness, and imposing upon the
other party temporal and spatial “friction” that originates from strategic delays in action.
In future warfare, importance will be placed on fields such as space, cyberspace, and
electromagnetic spectrum, which connect the physical and virtual domains. In addition, it will be vital
to take appropriate action with regard to approaches that connect the virtual and cognitive
domains; that is, warfare in the cognitive domain.
Warfare in the Cognitive Domain:
Narrative, Emotionality, and Temporality
NAGANUMA Kazumi, Planning and Management Division, Planning and Administration Department
