# Is Cognitive Warfare Dead on Arrival?

> Source: <https://www.irregularwarfare.org/is-cognitive-warfare-dead-on-arrival/>
> Published: 2026-06-03 06:05:00+00:00

Cognitive warfare is everywhere, but it may already be doomed.

It is hard to read national security literature and social media posts without coming across the term [cognitive warfare](https://understandingwar.org/analysis/cognitive-warfare/?ref=irregularwarfare.org). The [conflict](https://politicstoday.org/the-us-iran-war-cognitive-warfare-and-the-use-of-ai-integrated-systems/?ref=irregularwarfare.org) with Iran. China’s [current operations](https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2025/03/china-waging-cognitive-warfare-fighting-back-starts-defining-it/403886/?ref=irregularwarfare.org). Russia’s [way of war](https://understandingwar.org/research/cognitive-warfare/a-primer-on-russian-cognitive-warfare/?ref=irregularwarfare.org). North Korea’s [nuclear strategy](https://www.38north.org/2025/04/north-koreas-nuclear-cognitive-warfare-strategy/?ref=irregularwarfare.org)