What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to analyze how the economic aspects of cognitive warfare disrupt traditional defense strategies.

February 6, 2026Open Access

Cognitive Warfare Is Cheap—and That's the Problem

Key Points

The aim is to analyze how the economic aspects of cognitive warfare disrupt traditional defense strategies.
Examining existing literature on cognitive warfare and its economic impact.
Analyzing the cost-effectiveness of initiating versus countering cognitive warfare.
Discussing implications for military and policy institutions.
Cognitive warfare is cheaper to initiate compared to the expenses required to counter it.
This cost disparity challenges standard deterrence strategies.
Military institutions must develop new responses to threats that do not escalate to armed conflict.

Abstract

Cognitive warfare is frequently referred to as a derivative of influence, information, or emerging technologies. This essay, instead, posits that one of its most destabilizing aspects, often an untouched aspect, is economic: Cognitive warfare is relatively cheap to initiate but rather costly to counter. This disparity in costs subverts conventional deterrence logic and compels military and policy institutions to consider different ways of reacting to challenges that remain below the level of armed conflict.

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Authors

Sara Russo

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Altera (United States)

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Cognitive Warfare Is Cheap—and That's the Problem

Key Points

Abstract

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

Authors

Actions

Institutions

References and Citations

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

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