Psychologické operácie v podmienkach NATO a Ozbrojených síl Slovenskej republiky Fulltext (.pdf 520 kB)

Abstract

The psychological dimension of conflict is as important as the physical one. Conflict is a struggle of wills, which takes place in peoples’ minds as well as on the battlefield. Conflict is a struggle for power. The power may be political (ideological), military or economical (material). There is hardly a more merciless conflict than that based on ideology. The attitudes and behaviour of people (friend, foe and the undecided or uncommitted) may ultimately determine the outcome of conflict. Therefore it is necessary to understand the motivation of their leaders, forces and populations in order to shape their perceptions, affect their will to continue the conflict and to persuade them to accept the desired outcome. The employment of any element of power projection, particularly the military element, has always had a psychological dimension. This paper deals with the analysis of psychological operations in the conditions of NATO and the Slovak Armed Forces. The first part provides general information about psychological operations. The second chapter discusses basic NATO documents defining psychological operations, their goals, main tasks, organization and command and control. The third chapter contains basic documents dealing with psychological operations in the conditions of the Slovak Armed Forces.