text: FM 7-100.1________________________________________________________________________________
  actual conflict. At this level, the State employs all the elements of IW to sup-
  port its strategic objectives.
  5-76. Perception management, deception, and protection and security meas-
  ures are especially critical during strategic operations. The State attempts to
  use all forms of international media to support State actions and objectives.
  It uses all types of information dissemination to project its desired “spin” of
  events, to gather international support, to weaken its enemy’s resolve, and to
  force key decision makers to rethink any potentially damaging action against
  the State. In addition, the State develops a strategic deception plan to conceal
  its intentions from both the international audience and its own population.
  Once extraregional intervention begins, the military aspects of strategic
  operations become more aggressive, including use of physical destruction
  accompanied by other IW efforts to exploit its effects on enemy confidence
  and resolve.
  5-77. Strategic operations involve the application of any or all of the four in-
  struments of power (including the informational) to target enemy strategic
  centers of gravity. Thus, IW targets during strategic operations might include
  • Key leaders and decision makers (military and civilian).
  • All relevant media outlets.
  • Diplomatic entities.
  • Relevant private institutions or influential organizations.
  • Public opinion (international and domestic).
  • National will (enemy and friendly).
  • Commitment of alliance and coalition members.
  5-78. The Ministry of Public Information is responsible for the control and
  appropriate dissemination of all political, diplomatic, economic, and military
  information to the public and the international audience. That ministry is a
  key player in the development and execution of all strategic IW campaigns.
  At the operational level, the intelligence officer and chief of IW are responsi-
  ble for ensuring that all IW actions are in concert with the national-level
  SIWP.
  REGIONAL OPERATIONS
  5-79. IW activities during regional operations focus on controlling foreign
  perceptions of such operations and preventing the development of any inter-
  national consensus to intervene. The State tries to keep foreign perceptions of
  its actions below the threshold that could invite intervention by extraregional
  forces. To this end, perception management and deception campaigns are
  critical, for both domestic and international consumption.
  5-80. During regional operations, the State also conducts an internal in-
  formation campaign to help maintain and strengthen the national will.
  The overall goal is to give the entire country a common focus and guarantee
  internal support. All elements of IW are important in regional operations.
  Depending on the specific conditions, EW, IAs, protection and security
  measures, or perception management may dominate.