China is waging cognitive warfare. Fighting back starts by defining it.

Curator note

Cognitive warfare, a new form of conflict, aims to disrupt rational thinking and destabilize democratic institutions using neuroscience and data analytics. China and Russia are actively employing these strategies to influence public opinion and create societal division. The U.S. lacks a coherent approach to counter this threat, necessitating a structured framework that integrates insights from various fields, including psychology and data science. Policymakers must also consider the ethical implications of cognitive strategies while ensuring the protection of democratic values and critical infrastructures.