Chief of Staff Approval Memo

The theme for the UNCLASSIFIED portion of the 2019 Pacific Information Operations Symposium, “Countering Coercion: The Role of Information Operations,” examines the IndoPacific Information Environment (IE) to understand how coercion and malign influence diminish the effectiveness of deterrence. Following last year’s symposium focus on how Information Operations could support effective deterrence, this year’s theme will examine how comprehensive coercion undermines effective deterrence of adversaries and assurance of allies and partners. Indo-Pacific nations must establish deliberate and forward-looking strategies to counter adversaries’ coercion to stabilize regional security and ensure prosperity. Devising and implementing proactive deterrence strategies as well as nonmilitary approaches to counter coercion are paramount. Strengthening alliance cooperation and security commitment are also integral to addressing adversaries’ coercive activities and demonstrating collective resolve. The symposium will examine how to counter the erosive effects of coercion and malign influence from weakening or negating friendly force inform and influence efforts, preserving confidence in the cohesion of our Alliances and national capabilities to defend sovereignty from multiple attack vectors.