A technology that allows communication between the brain and devices external to the body (Military Medical Research, 2025).

Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology allows an individual to control an external device using brain signals. (U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2022, September). Science & tech spotlight: Brain-computer interfaces. Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics. https://www.gao.gov).

Cognitive Battlespace/Terrain is a war for information, as it is transformed into knowledge via the process of cognition. The goal is to change the way people think for the purpose of benefiting someone else.

(Flynn, M. (Ret.), & Cutler, B. (2022). Introduction to 5GW: The citizen's guide to fifth generation warfare. Boone Cutler Media Enterprise, LLC).

Cognitive warfare is a form of non-kinetic conflict that targets the human mind rather than just physical infrastructure. A critical element of modern, unrestricted warfare where social media, information technologies, and psychology are weaponized to manipulate public perception, thought processes, and decision-making (Flynn and Cutler, 2022). It utilizes neurobiological as well as social sciences to influence how people think. Components of cognitive warfare include:

The Mind as the Battlefield: The primary objective is to change not just what people think, but how they think and act, aimed at eroding trust, creating confusion, and inducing disorder.

Information as a Weapon: Social media platforms and digital information are used to influence, manipulate, and destabilize, blurring the lines between military and civilian spheres.

Fifth Generation Warfare (5GW): Flynn describes this as a shift from traditional battles (1st–3rd Gen) to a form of war where non-state actors, ideological extremists, and decentralized networks use psychological operations, cyberattacks, and media manipulation to achieve strategic advantages, often without firing a shot.

Goal of Subversion: It seeks to weaken opponents from within by exploiting psychological vulnerabilities, creating divisions, and spreading disinformation to destabilize societies.

(Flynn, M. (Ret.), & Cutler, B. (2022). Introduction to 5GW: The citizen's guide to fifth generation warfare. Boone Cutler Media Enterprise, LLC). (Strauss Center: National security challenges – Insights from social, neurobiological, and complexity sciences. Topical Strategic Multi-Layer Assessment (SMA) and U.S. Army ERDC multi-agency/multi-disciplinary white papers in support of national security challenges. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. https://www.erdc.usace.army.mil).

Weapons using energy fired at the speed of light. Weapon utilization can have a range of impact from deterrent, damaging, or destructive. Utilization of concentrated electromagnetic energy is employed and weapons range from high energy lasers and other electromagnetics including millimeter wave and high-power microwave weapons. (U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2023, May 25). Science & tech spotlight: Directed energy weapons(GAO-23-106717). https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-106717).