ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Information Operations (United States)

Information operations refer to a collection of tactics used to influence people's opinions, beliefs, and behaviors. Imagine you have a toy that you want to play with, but your friend does not want to play with it. You might use some tricks to convince your friend to play with the toy, such as telling a funny story about how much fun you had playing with it, or showing them how cool it looks.

Similarly, the United States government engages in information operations to influence the opinions and behaviors of people abroad, and sometimes even in the United States. It might use things like social media posts, news articles, videos, or even cultural events to achieve its goals.

For example, if the government wants to promote a positive image of the United States in another country, it might organize cultural events showcasing American music, dance, and food. Alternatively, if the government is concerned about a particular issue, such as terrorism, it might create social media posts that show how dangerous terrorism is and urge people to report any suspicious activity.

Overall, information operations can be used for both positive and negative purposes. They aim to shape people's perceptions and attitudes towards the United States, and in some cases, they can even influence the outcomes of geopolitical conflicts.