Cellphone wars

Via Zero Intelligence Agents comes a link [PDF] to this very interesting paper on the changing landscape of mobile communications and what it means for the future of hi-tech conflict. Could it be that by focusing on the cyberwarfare and DDOS attacks we have neglected much more disruptive kinds of new warfare, mobile communications being ...

Via Zero Intelligence Agents comes a link [PDF] to this very interesting paper on the changing landscape of mobile communications and what it means for the future of hi-tech conflict. Could it be that by focusing on the cyberwarfare and DDOS attacks we have neglected much more disruptive kinds of new warfare, mobile communications being the most visible one?

Via Zero Intelligence Agents comes a link [PDF] to this very interesting paper on the changing landscape of mobile communications and what it means for the future of hi-tech conflict. Could it be that by focusing on the cyberwarfare and DDOS attacks we have neglected much more disruptive kinds of new warfare, mobile communications being the most visible one?

Abstract: 

The 2008-2009 Israel-Gaza conflict featured a series of innovative approaches to communications intelligence, which included utilizing civilian telephone networks to achieve tactical and psychological objectives. The “cell war” between the IDF and Hamas is indicative of an ongoing global struggle between asymmetrical insurgents and state actors to control large-scale telecommunications structures. “Cell wars” have been taking place for quite some time in Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria, and several other nations, including inside the United States. Weapons in this hi-tech conflict include surveillance satellites, voice scramblers, encryption software and mobile phone cameras, among other technologies. Essentially, this war is being fought over the control over national and international telecommunications grids, and centers increasingly on telecommunications service providers —companies such as Jawwal in Palestine, Roshan  in Afghanistan, or Mobilink in Pakistan. These companies are rapidly becoming combat zones in  a battle to control the channels of digital communications in 21st-century asymmetrical warfare. 

P.S. I’ve decided to abandon the Assorted Links section for shorter and snappier link posts that would feature some content beyond the headline – this is the first one)

Evgeny Morozov is a fellow at the Open Society Institute and sits on the board of OSI's Information Program. He writes the Net Effect blog on ForeignPolicy.com
Tag: War

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