Cognitive Warfare: Systems of Perception and Control

Cognitive Warfare: Systems of Perception and Control reveals how modern conflict has shifted into the realm of human thought, attention, and perception. This book exposes the systems, tools, and strategies used to shape belief, influence behavior, and control narratives in an era defined by information saturation. Grounded in cognitive science, systems theory, cybernetics, intelligence methodology, and emerging technologies, this manual provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how perception is engineered in the digital age. It examines how actors collect data, design influence campaigns, exploit psychological vulnerabilities, and compete for dominance inside the human mind. Drawing from contemporary research and operational models, the book shows how cognition has become a contested battlespace and why mastering its dynamics is essential for both national security and individual sovereignty. Inside, you will learn: • How cognition became a domain of conflict and why narrative control shapes modern power • The mechanisms of perception, attention, memory, bias, and behavioral contagion • Ethical, legal, and governance challenges created by cognitive influence strategies • Models of cognitive advantage used by military and intelligence organizations • The architecture of information flow, sensing systems, data pipelines, and analytic cycles • Methods for measuring influence effects, attribution, and confidence scoring • Target mapping and persona engineering techniques used to shape specific populations • The role of micro targeting, memetic dynamics, synthetic media, and algorithmic amplification • How AI, predictive modeling, and narrative generation transform cognitive operations • Strategic and tactical planning frameworks for designing cognitive campaigns This book is written for strategists, security professionals, analysts, researchers, and anyone seeking to understand the forces competing for influence in the cognitive domain.