Targeting a warlord. The Challenges of Effect-Based information Operations in Afghanistan

Afghanistans complex information environment has a long tradition of violence and coercion, a tradition which did not end after the Taliban regime was ousted from power in 200l. The focus of this article is to look into the practices of the NATO-led ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) effects-based information operations at the end of 2004, specifically its efforts to influence the warlord General Dostum with non-lethal targeting efforts. My article focuses on events taking place just before the Afghan presidential elections in 2004 and on the subsequent post-election power struggle that materialised afterwards. I will present the various challenges of effects-based military information operations. As ISAF's information operations support the Government of Afghanistan, its challenge is to look into the possible effects following ISAF's military actions. The article suggests that there is a need to coordinate information operations beyond the structures of military force.One of the most cha1lenging issues in the military's current phase of effects-based operations thinking is not only to be able to think conceptually about the effects in the Afghani political landscape but on the tactical level as well, to be able to think differently, to take concrete actions and then measure those actions among the Afghans. One can conclude that the concept of effects-based military information operations is in an early phase but is developing. The article also shows how information operations may result in undesired effects. It looks into the aspects of non-lethal targeting, revealing the challenge assessing the effects of influential activities in the full scope of Afghani political, information and social infrastructures. The article concludes how cha1lenging it is for western military forces to use information operations in Afghanistan, but it also shows how much success they have achieved using ISAF's information operations and non-lethal targeting capabilities to secure Northern Afghanistan.