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arXiv · 2603.05222

Cognitive Warfare: Definition, Framework, and Case Study

Bonnie Rushing·William Hersch·Shouhuai Xu
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Abstract

Cognitive warfare has emerged as a central feature of modern conflict, yet it remains inconsistently defined and difficult to evaluate. Existing approaches often treat cognitive operations as a subset of information operations, limiting the ability to assess cognitive attacker-defender interactions or determine when advantage has been achieved. This article proposes a unified definition of cognitive warfare, introduces an interaction framework grounded in the OODA loop, and identifies measurable attributes associated with cognitive superiority. To illustrate the use of the framework, a notional case study demonstrates how these concepts can be applied to assess cognitive attacks and defenses in a contested environment. Thus, the framework provides joint force leaders and analysts with a practical foundation for understanding, comparing, and evaluating cognitive warfare campaigns.

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Bonnie Rushing, William Hersch, Shouhuai Xu. 2026-03-05. Cognitive Warfare: Definition, Framework, and Case Study. https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.05222

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