Information Operations Increase Civilian Security Cooperation

Abstract Information operations are considered a central element of modern warfare and counter-insurgency, yet there remains little systematic evidence their effectiveness. Using geographic quasi-experiment conducted during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, we demonstrate that civilians exposed to the government’s information campaign resulted more civilian security cooperation, which turn increased bomb neutralisations. These results robust number alternative model specifications account for troop presence, patrol-based operations, local military aid allocation. The paper demonstrates campaigns can lead substantive attitudinal behavioural changes an adversarial environment substantially improve battlefield outcomes.