“Cognitive Warfare” fails the cognitive test
Access Matt Armstrong’s substack “Arming for the War We’re In” to read this essay HERE.
Summary:
Matt Armstrong critiques Frank Hoffman’s defense of the term “cognitive warfare,” arguing it adds little beyond long-standing concepts of political warfare and public diplomacy. Focusing on labels and organizational charts obscures the real problem: U.S. leaders dismiss nonmilitary instruments of power while adversaries integrate them to bypass America’s “Maginot Line” of military deterrence. Armstrong shows that what is now called “cognitive warfare” was thoroughly theorized by Kennan and others as political warfare, centered on purpose, power, and shaping will, not just “messages” or technology. Renaming the problem will not fix the strategic neglect of these tools.
Comment (from Dave Maxwell): Matt Armstrong and Frank Hoffman are two of the smartest people I know and anything they write is worth reading. This is an excellent example of how to disagree and express contrasting views. However, I think in the long run they will find more agreement, especially in the area of Political Warfare; a concept which all three of us fully embrace even if most of the policymakers, press, and pundits loathe the term. Also note there is some important background history in terms of George Kennan and also some important and useful references for those who study and research these areas.
“Cognitive Warfare” fails the cognitive test
Is anyone asking why are we trying to pattern our efforts off of those of our adversaries?
Nov 17, 2025
https://mountainrunner.substack.com/p/cognitive-warfare-fails-the-cognitive
