Decision Advantage in Cognitive Warfare, Part 1

Authors

• John Murray
• Elise Annett, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University
• James Giordano, Center for Strategic Deterrence and Weapons of Mass Destruction Studies, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University

Files

Description

This commentary considers how artificial intelligence and rapidly evolving information environments are changing the conditions for military decision advantage. Building on the OODA loop and the expanded dOODAc framework, the authors argue that effective decision-making depends not only on speed and accuracy, but also on maintaining alignment between institutional cognition and an operational environment that continues to change during the decision cycle. The article introduces temporal synchronization as an important dimension of decision advantage in cognitive warfare, highlighting the challenge of keeping military decisions relevant as informational, behavioral, psychological, and social conditions evolve.

Document Type

Article

Topic(s)

Emerging Science and Technologies, Future Strategic Concepts, Military Strategy

Publication Date

8-11-2026

Publisher

Institute for National Strategic Studies

City

Washington, D.C.

Keywords

cognitive warfare, military decision-making, artificial intelligence, AI-enabled operations, OODA loop, dOODAc, decision advantage, temporal synchronization, command and control, cognitive environment

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4324-6655

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6505-4729

Recommended Citation

Murray, John; Annett, Elise; and Giordano, James, "Decision Advantage in Cognitive Warfare, Part 1" (2026). Strategic Insights. 62.
https://digitalcommons.ndu.edu/strategic-insights/62