Laraib Fatima Hassan
CGSS Ambassador (Islamabad) Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad
It is an undeniable reality that wars have been a crucial part of world history. Many nations sought independence through wars and many nations lost everything in pursue to gain freedom. The reasons might differ and the results might fluctuate but deadly wars are one of the most brutal realities of human history.
Since World War II organizations like the United Nations have taken numerous measures to prevent the coming generations from war and to some extent they have succeeded. But as the famous quote goes, man is a social animal and where more than two humans are together for a long period, interests will clash there is bound to be a conflict.
According to sources, there have been a total of 14,500 wars only between the period of 3500 BC, and the late 20th century, and the number of atrocities has been more than 3.5 billion. There is no doubt that the advancement of technologies has made life easier for homo sapiens but an undeniable fact is that they have also made humankind more ferocious and dangerous than ever. A hundred years ago warmongers wouldn’t have imagined the damage caused by just one click of remote control.
Generations of Warfare
The pure definition of war hasn’t changed it remains the same as hundred years ago, “a state of conflict between two or more groups of people”. The objectives are also somewhat the same, countries or groups fight wars to gain control of land, for conquering wealth or to acquire power and money.
What changed over the centuries is the evolving process of waging wars which explains the developing technology of weaponry and tactics used in fighting wars, hence, instead of discussing generations of ‘war’, experts discuss and explain the generations of “Warfare” and how it has evolved.
The First Generation of warfare begun in ancient times in the beginning 17th century when the main force was manpower and line and column strategies. As compared to the first generation of warfare, war strategies and techniques changed drastically in which things shifted from Physical to Psychological aspects of waging war on opponents.
Fifth Generation Warfare
Even before Globalization took its toll on the modern world, Sun Tzu in his book, “Art of War” predicted a state of war in which he states ” fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting”, and that is exactly what Fifth Generation Warfare aims to do and has been doing since the past decade.
Fifth-generation warfare hit the masses when the majority of the population was still being accustomed to the use of digital communication. The horrors lying behind technological advancements of weapons and technology left war experts and Military personnel shook to the core.
It was first coined after the Cold War in 1989 when the world saw how wars are fought without being on the battlefield. The dimensions and weapons changed where the aim wasn’t to destroy the enemy physically but to target their vulnerabilities and destroying them by using their core ideals and infiltrating their values. Guns and tanks are no longer considered dangerous when compared to sensitive information being hacked or leaked by enemy forces. Some of the most used tools of Fifth Generation Warfare are Diplomacy, social, digital & print media, Propaganda, false news, technology and the most important, Cyber Warfare.
Fifth Generation
Warfare and Pakistan
Fifth Generation warfare is not attacking directly and often it is not even known that who the enemy is? The dimensions have changed and a person sitting in an isolated room with a mobile device is more dangerous than an army of armed men ready to attack. Tools like Media propaganda, false news, targeting and sparking conflicts between various sects living in Pakistan and the use of misinformation have often made Pakistan’s position in the world as an unsafe state for business, minorities, and tourism.
Fifth Generation warfare in Pakistan has tightened its claws for the past many years. Numerous examples can be quoted where our nation was being targeted through its vulnerabilities, many incidents took place by using tools of Fifth Generation Warfare which eventually shook the economy and our diplomatic relations with countries.
In the past years, numerous incidents have pointed towards the growing insecurity due to Fifth Generation Warfare and its shadow has been constantly lurking on the people sometimes in the shape of an Attack on Chinese Embassy in Pakistan and the portrayal of Pakistan as an unsafe state and in-directly targeting CPEC and its operations or feeding false lies through social media regarding Armed forces and their services. Sensitive economic data can also be misinterpreted through enemies and used against the state resulting in creating misunderstandings among people.
Another example of Fifth Generation warfare is spreading misinformation regarding Kashmir Issue and Pakistan’s stance on it. Thousands of false accounts on Twitter have been suspended because of spreading false news regarding Indian atrocities in Kashmir. The Indian government has used media to propagate its actions in Kashmir and has blocked all communication in Kashmir which restricts Kashmiris to share their views or to stay connected with their families. Not only are they physically harmed but these steps have shaken them mentally and psychologically as well.
The war field has evolved and grown into a huge mass of spider webs that are non-traditional. To counter them it is necessary to adopt measures that are consistent with the sphere of damage being done by enemies.
Tools of Fifth Generation Warfare engaged in Pakistan
Unconventional tools of warfare cloaked in otherwise harmless elements have been attacking Pakistan from all sides. It is important to identify them and deal with them accordingly. Cyber Space and Social Media is the most common used tool to initiate Fifth Generation Warfare. The easiest way to spread misinformation is by releasing it on Social Media. Several global examples exist where people have engaged in conflict because of something they read or heard on Social Media. The general population may not pay attention to Print and Electronic media but they carry the entire world in the palm of their hands which shapes their opinions and leads them to believe misconceptions and propagandas. Millions of Twitter accounts have been blocked due to increased suspicious activities. This not only disturbs the trust citizens have on their institutions but also the over all image of any country affecting international image as well. Furthermore, to destroy a nation completely enemies, target the nation from inside, they do so by targeting the internal vulnerabilities of any country. In context of Pakistan, rights of minorities, sectarian and ethical issues have always been a soft target to hit by external force who wish to divide and spread hatred amongst citizens. Exposed Fault lines are comparatively easier to target and misuse in the context of waging internal civil wars. Pakistan’s growing relationship and bilateral ties with it’s neighboring countries have been a hard to swallow pill for our hostile enemies. To disrupt and dismantle these growing relations our internal security has been targeted by various means of destruction. These attacks are unusual in nature and often create an aura of deception among the diplomatic ties of countries.
Efforts to Combat
Fifth Generation Warfare
The extent to which this illness is spreading in Pakistan is extremely dangerous and triggering. One tweet which spreads hatred among citizens can spark a controversy that can result in irreparable damage.
It is important to deal with these problems with the same extent to which they are being caused.
The most important step is to tackle domestic media and training them to play a positive role in the country, people of any country are closely attached to what they see on their televisions, the content showed should be positively affecting them instead of brainwashing them against their values and culture.
Moreover, there is a need to revive the spirit of nationalism in the country where the basis should be strong enough to sustain any attack on the spirits and zeal of our countrymen.
Strengthening the Institutions and eliminating nuisance from the very roots to ensure the moral and educational growth of the people. Starting from the Educational institutions and spreading awareness regarding Fifth Generation Warfare and its implications in Pakistan. Further, it is important to make sure the implementation of Cyber laws at a more consistent and larger level. Cyber Security is like a ticking bomb that can cause major damage if not controlled. Urgent steps should be taken to improve Data Protection in the country. Sensitive information in the wrong hands could prove to be hazardous for the people.
To conclude, a review of national policies is needed where the main focus should be the elimination of any such tools which could directly or indirectly disrupt the country. The threats are evolving as the world is getting more advanced, their efforts should be equally advanced and effective.
