Attack on resilience, the hybrid war that is being waged in our minds

Almost every day, when we open the newspapers or social media, a new round of overwhelming and worrying news flashes before our eyes. From vast forest fires to rains that devastate villages, not to mention updates on ongoing wars or yet another legislative change that, instead of solving problems, adds more uncertainty and confusion.

Today, images, sounds and worries about disasters come to life faster than ever, streaming onto our screens to create the feeling that we are continually under attack and on the brink. Add to that misinformation, rumours and intentionally confusing or overwhelming “news” that drain our energy and leave us not knowing what to think or whom to believe.

The invisible attack that leaves us devastated

Imagine for a second that you are right in the middle of a disaster. It could be a hurricane, a pandemic, or even an economic crisis. You try to stay calm, help the people affected, and do your part to rebuild what has been lost. But suddenly, you realize that something doesn’t add up. The news says one thing, your social media says another, and your neighbor – who always has a conspiracy theory up his sleeve – assures you that it’s all a setup. Who do you believe? How do you act?

This is the world we live in today, a world where “attack on resilience” has become a technique of hybrid warfare, which researcher Chad M. Briggs referred to in 2020. What exactly does it consist of? Using disinformation and chaos as weapons to leave us more lost than an octopus in a garage.

Attacks on resilience are an explosive cocktail of misinformation, confusion and emotional overload. It is a systematic attack on our individual and community capacity to recover from crises.

“Modern cognitive warfare is not a war in the literal sense of the word. It is not a conquest of geographic territory, but rather a competition for the human mind and the ability to transform the worldview of people in a society in a particular area,” Briggs explained.

Their goal is clear: to keep us vulnerable, confused, on edge, waiting for the next disaster, and, above all, to prevent us from recovering. This strategy creates a spiral of stress so great that it is almost impossible to find a way out. It undermines our resilience so much that it leaves us in a state of collective paralysis.

And when we finally manage to shake off that stupor and anguish to begin to rebuild the broken pieces, it hits again with greater force to leave us even more vulnerable, divided and confused than before.

How to recognize attempts to erode resilience?

Being able to identify an attack on resilience is the first step to protecting ourselves from its effects. If we are alert to these signs, we can avoid falling into the trap of misinformation and chaos. 

• Conflicting information and lack of clarity. One of the first signs that you are being targeted by an attempt to weaken resilience is the presence of conflicting messages. For example, while one official source assures you that the situation is under control, other sources or even what you see yourself say the opposite.
• Alarmist messages . “The end of the world is nigh!” is a phrase that should make you suspicious – unless it’s proven that a massive meteorite is heading straight for Earth. Fear is a powerful tool, and those seeking to undermine resilience know this. Messages that appeal to doom and gloom are designed to create panic and paralyze.
• Promotion of hopelessness and fatalism . Attacks on resilience often include messages that promote the idea that “there is no way out” or that “all efforts are futile.” This approach seeks to demotivate people and undermine their ability to act by generating the idea that “it is what it is” and that there is no hope of changing the state of things.
• Attacks on social cohesion. Resilience is not only individual, but also collective. Therefore, a common tactic of attacks on resilience is to foster divisions within the community. If you notice that information promotes divisions between groups (neighbors vs. authorities, young vs. old, etc.), it is likely that they are trying to undermine the community. This can manifest itself in the form of speeches that pit some groups against others or narratives that seek to blame a specific sector or generate distrust between people who previously collaborated without major problems.
• Information overload. When you feel overwhelmed by the amount of news and messages on social media or in the press, it’s time to take a break. Saturation is a common tactic to confuse, especially in the digital age, because it affects your ability to discern between what’s important and what’s irrelevant and act accordingly.
• Discrediting institutions and authority figures . Another common strategy of the attack on resilience is to undermine trust in institutions, organizations or leaders that have traditionally served as pillars of support during crises. This is achieved through smear campaigns or spreading false rumors. And while it is healthy to question and demand transparency, it is also important to distinguish between constructive criticism and a deliberate attempt to erode the credibility of those who could really help us.

The psychological impact: Why is an attack on resilience so destabilizing?

We live in an era where news travels at the speed of light – but often with the accuracy of pub gossip. This increasingly limits our ability to process information and make rational decisions. The attack on resilience takes advantage of this search for immediacy to spread chaos, distrust and uncertainty.

When misinformation is combined with the anxiety generated by a crisis, our brain goes into “high alert” mode, which does not always help us make better decisions. Instead of thinking clearly, our defense system begins to fight against an invisible enemy (uncertainty), and stress increases. Anxiety takes over and, instead of collaborating and helping each other to overcome the disaster, we remain trapped in a cycle of confusion and disorientation, looking for scapegoats everywhere.

What psychological damage do attacks on resilience cause?

1. Confusion and paralysis. When we receive conflicting information, our brains panic. Should we evacuate? Stay? Buy all the toilet paper in the supermarket? This uncertainty paralyzes us, preventing us from making effective decisions that can save lives, minimize damage or speed up reconstruction.
2. Chronic stress. Misinformation and chaos are very distressing, but the worst part is that stress can start to take over without us being able to identify exactly where it comes from. Everything seems to be going wrong, but you don’t know where to start to fix things.
3. Loss of trust. If you find out you’ve been lied to (or that you can’t trust sources of information), it’s normal to feel betrayed. This distrust can extend to institutions, the media, and even your neighbors, weakening the community ties that are essential to recovery.
4. Feeling of helplessness. When everything seems to be against you, it is easy to fall into hopelessness and learned helplessness. “Why try if everything is going to go wrong?” is the unofficial motto of those who have been victims of an attack on resilience.
5. Social disconnection. You notice that people around you are starting to disconnect, as if everyone is isolating themselves in their own bubble. Distrust and lack of communication within the community grow, causing isolation to take hold of everyone.

How to protect our resilience?

Being under an attack on resilience is like being caught in a web of emotions and data that never stops moving. But we are not helpless. There are ways to counteract this phenomenon.

• Filter the information . Choose the sources of information you use carefully. Not everything that is out there is useful. Get rid of sources that sow confusion and generate alarmism. Look for clear and verifiable data. Always contrast the information and do not settle for ambiguous or sensationalist versions.
• Stay calm . Chaos is contagious, so take a deep breath and remember that panic is not your friend. If you feel overwhelmed, try to disconnect. While it’s natural to feel worried in crisis situations, it’s important to stay calm and use reason. Ask yourself: Is this information backed by facts? Or is it being used to manipulate your emotions? Don’t give in to collective panic.
• Connect with others . Community is key in times of crisis. Talk to friends, family, or even people around you who share your vision to rebuild collective resilience. Mutual support is a powerful antidote to misinformation and isolation. The key is to foster dialogue and seek common ground, rather than being driven by polarization.
• Remember your purpose. In the midst of the storm, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters. Take a moment to remember what pushes you forward. That’s the hope you need to endure.

The attacks on resilience are a reminder that in times of crisis and uncertainty, our minds can be both a battlefield and a fortress. Even as misinformation and chaos try to paralyze us, we have the psychological tools we need to resist. We just need to activate them.

References:

Briggs, Chad M. (2020) Climate Change and Hybrid Warfare Strategies. Journal of Strategic Security; 13(4): 45-57.

Danyk, Y. & Briggs, Chad M. (2023) Modern Cognitive Operations and Hybrid Warfare. Journal of Strategic Security; 16(1): 35-50.