Strategic Deterrence In The Post-Truth Era: An Analytical Study Of Hybrid Wars

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the nature of strategic deterrence in the post-truth era by examining the dynamics of hybrid warfare, which has shifted the battlefield from direct military force to the cyber and cognitive domains. The research highlights how cyber and cognitive tools contribute to shaping a new deterrence environment that depends on influencing collective perception and decision-making rather than relying solely on physical force.

Through applied case studies—including the India–Pakistan, Iran–Israel, and North–South Korea crises—the study demonstrates that integrating cognitive and cyber capabilities enhances deterrence effectiveness and limits adversaries’ strategic options. The findings conclude that control over the cyber and information domains has become essential for regulating international behavior, emphasizing the necessity of developing normative and ethical frameworks to prevent the international system from drifting into instability that threatens strategic security.