NEO Thinks EBO - a way to Shape Perceptions.

The concept is not new. In fact we've learned from Sun Tzu that "Those skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without battle." However Effects Based Operations definition, development and operationalization has been subjected to disparate analyses, doctrines, interpretations and became a controversial issue. This paper addresses Effects-Based Operations (EBO) and Effects-Based Approach to Operations (EBAO) conceptualization and applicability to the full spectrum of human interactions, focused on the economic and information domains in a synchronized whole-of-government/coalition approach. It intends to answer to the question: How can EBO/EBAO be addressed in the information age? A comprehensive analysis of existing doctrine, scientific papers and thesis concur to the foundations of a theoretical background. Due to its relevancy, the memorandum for U.S. Joint Forces Command, signed by General J. N. Mattis on the 14^th of August 2008 subjected to the assessment of EBO and the respective rationale (but not only this document) is assessed against that theoretical background. Along its argumentation this paper also aims to demonstrate that the conflictual interactions on the geopolitical and geoeconomic domains of cyberspace reinforce the evidences for the use of non-attrition operations to succeed in an environment of adaptive and complex systems of systems. The intensive use of internet, created networked dependencies and subsequent networked vulnerabilities that can and are exploited in an Information Warfare context, targeting not only military objectives but also national critical infrastructures, logistical networks, strategic industries and of course leaderships. Recent cyberattacks to Estonia and Georgia are symptomatic of coordinated actions on the information domain. Classic attrition instruments of combat are inefficient in this environment. Achieving information superiority is the ultimate goal for a strategic decision maker. Dealing with a humanitarian crisis, a disaster relief effort, a military conflict, combating terrorism or any other asymmetric actor, resolving a severe diplomatic incident, conducting a hostile company takeover, facing a global financial crises or any other human endeavour requests more the direct physical intervention. Information superiority empowers the decision maker with the knowledge to achieve better results deploying information operations that will support the strategy and this demands the intensive use of Intelligence supported by invasive information systems like the Echelon or the Carnivore in ways that goes beyond their original purpose namely for economic interests. To shape the perception of our adversaries, allies and neutrals, affecting their cognitive sphere thus their decision capacity, is the most efficient way to our desired outcomes. This shape of perception is doable through a comprehensive and network centric approach to operations. One can not propose a methodology or a process because it is neither of those but rather a way of thinking operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]