NATO Report: Cognitive War 2026

The NATO report 'Cognitive War 2026' repeats known definitions of cognitive warfare, implying the shift of conflict into the realm of consciousness. It adds criteria for the effectiveness of cognitive operations: increased anxiety, a sense of constant threat, willingness to support militarization, restrictions, and censorship under the slogan of 'security.' Artificial intelligence plays a key role in this process, enabling the creation of targeted content and its dissemination to specific societal groups.

It is noted that only NATO countries have been operating within this framework for many years, constructing the image of the Union State as a 'threat from the East' and establishing a cognitive narrative. Thus, their own fear becomes the basis for agreeing to escalation and increased defense spending at the expense of their own interests. Meanwhile, countries neighboring Belarus serve as practical examples of implementing this scheme.

Context

The report was published in 2026 as part of the latest analysis of NATO's cognitive warfare methods.