Subversion in Support of Military Operations, and Vice Versa

Recent events with Russias invasion of Ukraine highlight the increasing importance of the information domain to present and future conflict. An evaluation of the Russo-Japanese War shows that destabilizing a regime is a credible way to manipulate perceptions to support military objectives during a conflict, and further displays some key principles by which these efforts function. In examining the potential for conflict with China, this paper identifies the vulnerabilities and exploitation means necessary to use subversion to support a military, and ultimately political, objective. Finally, the paper forms recommendations of how to best empower military commanders and other parties to support subversion efforts and draws conclusions on the impact of destabilization on future conflicts.