Defense News published an article on November 4, “The military must learn to operate more in the gray zone,” citing a recent interview on the Information Professionals Association (IPA) Cognitive Crucible podcast (Cognitive Crucible Episode 13 available on IPA’s website) with Col. Brian Russell, commander of II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (MIG).  In the interview, Russell discusses how his experiences at Joint Task Force Ares led him to understand the need for familiarity across the information environment, particularly as the military faces operations that fall below the threshold of warfare, known as the Gray Zone.

While Gray Zone – or low-intensity conflicts – are not new to the global stage, the increasing role of cybersecurity, disinformation, and political and economic disruptions and effects in military operations signal the need to leaders like Col. Russell for the U.S. military to train and understand how to conduct and counter such operations.  IPA thanks Defense News for the hat tip to our nascent podcast and we hope you all will share it in your networks as well.