TNI Influence Operation and Information Warfare Force; Noopolitik Perspective

Mahbi Maulaya(1*), Fadhlil Wafi(2),

(1) Security Studies Program, Kansas State University
(2) Universitas Andalas
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract


The news about the Indonesian National Army’s (TNI) allocated budget for internet buzzers and the public anger about it is an intriguing phenomenon to take a look at. It shows how influence operations and information warfare (IOIW) remain a concept that the public sees as inappropriate for TNI to consider. This article aims to make sense of why TNI should consider its IOIW force. With the library research method, this article uncovers the conceptual and theoretical argument of Noopolitik and IOIW. Noopolitik allows us to rationalize that, nowadays, a country should not only consider the geosphere for its national interest but also the noosphere, the realm of hearts and minds. It is a realm that is open to other countries attacking via IOIW. Through Noosphere, one country might influence the public of another country. With that idea, this article argues that it is reasonable for TNI to procure the force for IOIW. IOIW will allow TNI to protect the Indonesian Noosphere from the attacks of its adversaries, as they might want to influence Indonesian public legitimacy and stability in a hostile way. This article may contribute to TNI making their consideration for IOIW force acceptable for the public.

Keywords


TNI, Indonesia, Influence Operation, Information Warfare, Noopolitik

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.33172/jp.v11i1.19843

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