Abstract
The paper is devoted to the description of intelligence augmentation as one of the possible options to improve the functioning of USINDOPACOM on the background of Chinese attempts to expand its presence in the South China Sea. It also includes the contingency plan regarding the three possible options. The work outlines ways to increase readiness and awareness levels, along with the strategies that can be implemented to guarantee active resistance to potential aggression.
Intelligence Augmentation
Today, the U.S. Pacific Command faces multiple challenges associated with the active position of China in the Asian region and its attempts to spread its control over strategically important areas. Under these conditions, the ability of USINDOPACOM to respond to emerging threats and implement a specific plan of action to minimize potential harm acquires the top priority as one of the possible ways to preserve stability in the region. Information plays a critical role in these activities as it offers many opportunities for the creation of effective strategies, improves flexibility, and provides additional Intelligence support. Thus, the establishment of the contingency Intelligence Augmentation Plan is one of the possible options to attain existing goals and prevent China from establishing substantial administrative control over the South China Sea.
Background
Today, the South China Sea is the issue that attracts the attention of states’ governments and international organizations, including military ones. China’s activity in the given region is considered as an attempt to expand the sphere of its influence throughout the area regardless of its strategic importance to the USA and the presence of its troops and warships (Beech, 2018). In such a way, it transforms into a center of a political and, which is more important, the military struggle between Beijing and Washington (Kuok, 2019). Both parties have their allies in are also interested in controlling the Sea as it guarantees diplomatic and material rewards (Jaffer, 2019). Under these conditions, the U.S. Pacific command faces the need for effective strategies and plans that would be able to resist Chinese attempts to move forward.
In the opposition of these two states, information becomes the most valuable resource as it demonstrates the further intentions of opponents and their current goals. In this regard, the implementation of innovative technologies becomes a preferable option for improved data collection. Intelligence augmentation is one of the ways to attain success as it presupposes the application of the newest digital technology, such as machine learning, to support and improve current human capabilities in spheres of information search, analysis, and planning (Cha, 2019).
Intelligence augmentation (IA) differs from artificial intelligence (AI) as the last one is more focused on the automation of processes when IA works close with specialists and under their supervision to provide multiple opportunities for the generation of better outcomes.
Possible Options
China Initiates Information Warfare
The first option of the proposed contingency plan assumes that China initiates the information warfare with the primary goal to create its positive image, justify its attempts to expand its influence in the region, and deteriorate the image of the USA as the main rival. It might presuppose the massive dissemination of false information, manipulation with media, and the use of Internet resources.
There is a high probability of this scenario, as the modern digitalized world offers multiple opportunities for implementing this strategy (Johnson, 2019). The USINDOPACOM’s preparation in terms of this plan presupposes the integration of IA in the work of the intelligence department to monitor the current state of media and trace any alterations in the modality or mood used by China to represent the information (The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, 2017). It will contribute to the acquisition of relevant information and increased readiness of the U.S. Pacific Command. The response presupposes countermeasures invented by using IA that will minimize the harm done by this threat.
Chinese Military Operation
Another possible option that should be considered by the contingency plan is the Chinese military operation organized with the primary goal to grasp control over the sea and the whole region. The probability of this step is low because of the current state of the international discourse and the presence of U.S. forces in the area (Romaniuk & Burgers, 2019). However, to increase USINDOPACOM’s preparation preparedness and situational warning, the IA can be implemented as the tool to collect data about possible strategies and main directions of attacks planned by China (Cummings, 2017).
The availability of this information will make responses more effective as they will be organized to counter the enemy’s troops in the most effective ways. The effectiveness of this approach is evidenced by successful military campaigns based on intelligence data (Cummings, 2017). For this reason, the given option becomes a sufficient measure to respond to the emerging threat.
Chinese Provocative Act
Finally, the third option of the contingency plan presupposes that China organizes a provocative act that discredits the USA, its policy, and forces in the area and justifies the further expansion of the Chinese presence in the region as the only possible way to resist the U.S aggression and preserve peace. There is an average probability of this event as it might be used by means of media or other Internet resources (The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, 2017). Preparation for the given scenario presupposes the use of IA as the way to analyze information about the would-be event as such a significant provocation cannot remain unnoticed (Del Monte, 2018). For this reason, the monitoring of reliable sources along with tracing the alterations in the behavior of Beijing and its strategy will precondition the growth of USINDOPACOM’s awareness and ability to introduce effective measures to reveal the planned act of aggression and gather the support of the international community.
Preparedness, Awareness, Response
The proposed contingency plan and three possible options contribute to the increase in the level of preparedness, readiness, and situational awareness. The integration of the IA into the functioning of USINDOPACOM will guarantee a significant improvement in collecting, managing, and analyzing data related to the would-be and current operations of the Chinese government in the region. Accepting the fact that relevant data is the most valuable resource of modern warfare, the given outcome can be considered a serious advantage generated by the U.S. Command due to the adherence to the proposed plan (Koda, 2019).
Additionally, the existence of the proposed options will help to respond to outlined threats the most effectively and hold leading positions in the region (Sayers, 2018). It can also be recommended to continue using innovative technologies in the sphere of intelligence and data collection. The use of AI, IA, and other elements of machine learning might contribute to the decreased impact of the human factor and the achievement of better outcomes (Russel & Norvig, 2009).
Conclusion
Altogether, the use of IA in planning military operations or improving the work of USINDOPACOM is justified by the opportunity to generate a certain advantage and increase preparedness and awareness levels. Enhanced data collection contributes to more effective responses and strategies that help to preserve leading positions and avoid direct confrontation by providing the international community with evidence of the enemy’s maleficent actions or intentions. For this reason, an intelligence augmentation is a promising approach that might guarantee better cooperation between various departments and their ability to react to undesired events or even attacks.
References
Beech, H. (2018). China’s Sea control is a done deal, ‘Short of War with the U.S.’ The New York Times. Web.
Cha, J. (2019). What is Intelligence Augmentation? Appsilon. Web.
Cummings, M. (2017). Artificial intelligence and the future of warfare. Chatham House. Web.
Del Monte, L. (2018). Genius weapons: Artificial intelligence, autonomous weaponry, and the future of warfare. Prometheus.
Jaffer, K. (2019). Revealed: China’s deadly plan to control the South China Sea. Express. Web.
Johnson, J. (2019). The AI-cyber nexus: Implications for military escalation, deterrence and strategic stability. Journal of Cyber Policy, 4(3). Web.
The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies. (2017). Artificial intelligence and the future of defense: Strategic implications for small and medium-sized force providers. HCSS. Web.
Koda, Y. (2019). Countering Beijing’s South China Sea strategy. Japan Times. Web.
Kuok, L. (2019). How China’s actions in the South China Sea undermine the rule of law. Brookings. Web.
Russel, S., & Norvig, P. (2009). Artificial intelligence: A modern approach (3rd ed.) Pearson.
Romaniuk, S., & Burgers, T. (2019). China’s next phase of militarization in the South China Sea. The Diplomat. Web.
Sayers, E. (2018). 15 big ideas to operationalize America’s indo-pacific strategy. War on the Rocks. Web.