Hostile Social Manipulation: Present Realities and Emerging Trends

At 302 pages, Mazarr et al.'s comparative study of Russian and Chinese hostile social manipulation is the most comprehensive doctrinal analysis of how two major adversary states conceptualise, organise, and conduct information operations. The report examines each state's theoretical framework for social manipulation — the intellectual and military doctrine that shapes what operations are conducted and why — alongside their operational tools and the available evidence on effectiveness.

The comparative structure is the report's primary analytical contribution. Russian and Chinese information operations are frequently discussed as if they were interchangeable, but the doctrines are distinct: Russia operates primarily through disruption, confusion, and the amplification of existing social divisions; China prioritises narrative construction, positive image management, and the suppression of unfavourable information. These different objectives produce different tactics, different target sets, and different analytical approaches. For threat assessment practitioners, understanding this distinction is essential for accurate attribution and appropriate response design.