Quote:Tanguy Struye de Swielande is Professor of International Relations at UCLouvain. He specializes in geopolitics, geoeconomics and the foreign and defense policy of the major powers (USA, Russia and China), the Indo-Pacific region, decision-making analysis, foresight cognitive warfare and the impact of new technologies on world order.

The nature of warfare has evolved, with the result that we are sometimes faced with new wars that do not speak their name. Disinformation campaigns have become veritable weapons of mass disruption, undermining the smooth functioning of our democratic societies. They spread and circulate rapidly, are inexpensive and have a high impact. For Professor Giordano, the human brain has thus become the battlefield of the 21st century.

What is cognitive warfare? Is China the master of cognitive warfare? Why are democracies losing? Are resources and the 4th industrial revolution the missing link? From neuroscience to the metaverse: cognitive warfare 2.0?

00:20 Cognitive Warfare and its Implications
03:01 Social networks have shifted from bringing people together to spreading fake news and polarization.
08:15 Cognitive Warfare is the weaponization of public opinion to influence policies and destabilize institutions.
10:54 Cognitive Warfare involves external and internal forces influencing people and political processes.
16:09 Difficulty in determining ground truth
18:23 Our brain's bias influences our stance on conflicts.
22:54 Boundaries homogenize relational environment
25:14 Social media influences people more through emotions and visuals.
29:57 Chinese diplomats using aggressive tactics on social media for influence.
32:24 Cognitive Warfare aims to destabilize democratic societies.
37:09 Tik Tok is causing concentration and critical thinking problems in young people
39:33 Challenges of post-truth era and shift in authoritarian regimes
43:51 Cognitive Warfare involves complex technological investments.
46:03 Semiconductors, renewables, resources, and international norms play crucial roles in cognitive warfare.
50:34 Metaverse competition between US and China
52:50 Need for cognitive resilience to protect the brain