Persuasion, Credibility and Cognitive Resilience: Psychological Foundations of PSYOP in the Digital Age

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive and interdisciplinary analysis of the psychological foundations of psychological operations (PSYOP), with particular emphasis on persuasion mechanisms, the dynamics of message and source credibility, and the development of cognitive resilience as an essential defence paradigm against hostile influence. The study seeks to integrate theories from social psychology, communication science, security and intelligence studies to decipher how PSYOP exploits the cognitive and emotional vulnerabilities of the target audience in the contemporary information environment.

Information Aggression Against Romania’s Interests Through the Influencing of Political Life (Internal and External)

In the current geopolitical context, marked by the intensification of hybrid warfare and the use of information as a strategic weapon, Romania is facing a systematic information aggression aimed at undermining democratic processes and influencing political life. The annulled presidential elections of December 2024 represented a turning point, revealing the scale and sophistication of the influence operations carried out against the Romanian state.

The Threat of Algorithmic Populism: Intelligence Strategies for Safeguarding Democracy

The digital age has facilitated unprecedented transformations in communication, reshaping the way political discourse and influence manifest in democratic societies. Among these transformations, algorithmic populism emerges as a significant phenomenon. This concept, defined by the interaction between political actors, online activism, and algorithm-driven amplification, highlights how extremist or populist political messages gain traction in the digital ecosystem. By analysing this dynamic through the lens of intelligence studies, we have tried to identify the risks posed by algorithmic populism to democratic systems and propose strategies to mitigate its impact. The need for intelligence agencies to address these risks is clear, as they represent not only political but also existential threats to the democratic order.

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