@article{23555,
  keywords = {Reflexive Control, open source intelligence, OSINT, emotions, Russia, Ukraine, information warfare},
  author = {Boyan Mitrakiev and Noncho Dimitrov},
  title = {The Need for Emotional Cues Analysis in OSINT in Countering Reflexive Control Information Warfare Campaigns: A Critical Review and Reconceptualization},
  abstract = {<p>In the conflict with Ukraine, Russia has brought forth a modernized application of the reflexive control information warfare strategy developed during the USSR period with varying but notable effectiveness. Western allies of Ukraine have utilized open-source intelligence (OSINT) methods in attempts to counter Russian information warfare, but recent analyses have indicated a growing discontent with the results. A critical review of the literature indicates that (1])reflexive control operations have always been aimed to influence the emotions and psyche of its targets, be those high-level political decision-makers or masses of voters/citizens, (2) despite some gaps in research, there is a growing consensus that emotions have a substantial impact on political decision-making at both group and individual levels, and (3) the current OSINT approach combined with a reliance on fact-checking is missing on reflexive control methods using emotional cues due to gaps in both research and practice. The critical review suggests a reconceptualization of the reflexive control theoretical model to integrate the affective intelligence interpretation of how emotions influence political decision-making and integrate this into ongoing OSINT-based countermeasures.</p>},
  year = {2024},
  journal = {Information & Security: An International Journal},
  volume = {55},
  chapter = {275},
  pages = {275-298},
  doi = {https://doi.org/10.11610/isij.5514 },
}