Aim. Research of the latest practice (forms, methods, tools and technologies) of information operations, the peculiarities of their hybridization, as well as the latest forms and methods of counteraction.

Methodology. The growing militarization of the information space is leading to a change in views on the use of force to change the geopolitical balance. This, in turn, is leading to a real technological revolution in the field of information, hybrid and trade wars. The study of this kind of complex, complexly organized processes and schemes requires the application of the methodology of a systematic approach, opening and defining algorithms of all “chains” of information and psychological impact, used in information operations of a new type.

Results. The article reveals in detail the main forms, schemes, elements of modern information operations, which originate from the “Panama Papers” of 2016; using the publications in the New York Times (05/24/2019) and the Wall Street Journal (06.03.2019), it is demonstrated exactly what planting disinformation is and what exactly it is intended for; the example of specific information operations (“Prague incident” with ricin in 2020, statement by S. Rice “Russian methodology for organizing coups d’etat” of 2020, “The Skripals poisoning of ” 2018–2020, “The Venezuelan precedent” and “Operation Gedeon” 2019–2020 show exactly how planting disinformation is used in modern tactical (operational games) and strategic operations of information warfare; highlights the general lines and main strategies of waging an information war against Russia. The example of the Russian practice of conducting information counter-actions (“The Cabello Case” 2019, “Skripal Readings” 2019, “Search for a Russian Mole in the CIA” 2019 (an operational game with R. O’Brien), etc.) discloses the latest forms and methods of organizing countering information operations of foreign states and operational games of foreign intelligence services.

Research implications. Information about the latest forms and methods of organizing and conducting information operations can be used in the work of state bodies responsible for organizing a systemic response to information attacks by foreign states, and will also be useful to political scientists, political strategists and specialists in countering destructive political technologies.

international relations, politics, information war, hybrid war, information operation, operational combination, Russia, USA, national security

1. Kaldor M. New and Old Wars: Organized Violence in the Global Era (Russ. ed.: Novye i starye voiny: organizovannoe nasilie v global’nuyu epokhu. Moscow, Gaidar Institute Publishing House, 2016. 416 p.).
2. Konyshev V., Parfenov R. [Hybrid wars: between myth and reality]. In: Mirovaya ekonomika i mezhdunarodnye otnosheniya [World economy and international relations], 2019, vol. 63, no. 12, pp. 56–66. DOI: 10.20542 / 0131-2227-2019-63-12-56-66.
3. Manoilo A. V. [The Skripals case as an information war operation]. In: Vestnik Moskovskogo gosudarstvennogo oblastnogo universiteta (elektronnyi zhurnal) [Bulletin of Moscow Region State University (e-journal)], 2019, no. 1. Available at: www.evestnik-mgou.ru (accessed: 30.12.2020). DOI: 10.18384/2224-0209-2019-1-939.
4. Manoilo A. V. [Fake news as a threat to national security and an information management tool]. In: Vestnik Moskovskogo universiteta. Seriya 12: Politicheskie nauki [MSU Vestnik. Series 12: Political Science], 2019, no. 2, pp. 41–42.
5. Slipchenko V. Voiny shestogo pokoleniya. Oruzhie i voennoe iskusstvo budushchego [Wars of the sixth generation. Weapons and military art of the future]. Moscow, Veche Publ., 2002. 384 p.
6. Tikhanychev O. V. [Hybrid wars: a new word in the art of war or a well-forgotten old one?]. In: Voprosy bezopasnosti [Security questions], 2020, no. 1. URL: https://nbpublish.com/library_read_article.php?id=30256 (accessed: 30.12.2020). DOI: 10.25136/2409-7543.2020.1.30256
7. Haass R. A World in Disarray: American Foreign Policy and the Crisis of the Old Order (Russ. ed.: Mirovoi besporyadok. Amerikanskaya vneshnyaya politika i krizis starogo poryadka. Moscow, AST Publ., 2019. 320 p.).
8. Schelling T. The Strategy of Conflict (Russ. ed.: Strategiya konflikta. Moscow, IRISEN Publ., Socium Publ., 2014. 367 p.).
9. Hoffman F. G. Conflict in the 21st century: The rise of hybrid wars, 2007. Available at: https://www.potomacinstitute.org/images/stories/publications/potomac_hybridwar_0108.pdf (accessed: 29.12.2020).
10. Nichols T. N. Winning the World. Lessons for America’s Future from the Cold War. Westport, CS, Praeger, 2002. 255 p.
11. Rushkoff D. Present Shock. When Everything happens now. New York, Current, 2013. 296 p.
12. Simons G. Digital Communication Disrupting Hegemonic Power in Global Geopolitics. In: Russia in Global Affairs, 2019, no. 2. Available at: https://eng.globalaffairs.ru/articles/digital-communication-disrup (accessed: 30.12.2020).