China makes use of information systems domestically to ensure obedience and discipline. In foreign messaging, it portrays false stories of its rivals and enemies, and generates a sense of support for the ruling elite by choreographing events, enthusiastic crowds, and pro-government ‘demonstrations’. This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines some examples of how adversarial regimes operate, and their capability. It indicates that the information environment is practically all-pervasive and has a significant effect on orthodox military operations. The book indicates that information is the ‘means’ and ‘ways’, like physical force, that can achieve effects. It also indicates that information operations will be necessarily ‘deep’ inside an adversary’s territory, networks, and populations’ consciousness.
