File:REFOCUSING GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT CENTER MISSION TO COMBAT MODERN ADVERSARY INFORMATION STRATEGY- APPLYING LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY? (IA refocusingglobal1094563505).pdf

Adversary activities in the information space represent a persistent threat to U.S. national security. This thesis claims U.S. information strategy lacks unity of effort and purpose and is also not optimized to adequately face modern threats. Case studies centered on Russian activity within the information environment will be explored and used to compare and contrast against current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) information strategy. This provides focus for the core thesis question which asks: How can lessons learned from the United States Information Agency (USIA) inform modifications to policy and strategy for the Global Engagement Center (GEC) to formulate messaging and combat adversary information operations (IO)? Furthermore, the purpose of this thesis is to examine case studies of USIA during the Cold War and capture lessons learned in order to inform potential modifications to the Global Engagement Center, namely creating a fifth pillar within the GEC that will formulate and lead United States information strategy. This allows the United States to inform global audiences while highlighting negative actions committed by our adversaries. If the United States cannot achieve this it will be to the detriment of national interests. Furthermore, it will likely fall behind its enemies, forcing America to play a reactive role, and remaining unable to capitalize on opportunities or seize the initiative during times of conflict.