Capturing lands has been a hallmark in the history of mankind. Planet earth has witnessed Hot and Cold Wars, turning into LICs (Low Intensity Conflicts). The myth of conquering lands has turned into conquering minds especially after US failures in the global war on terror.
The advent of CNN during the First Gulf War was a trend setter in the history of warfare and electronic media emerged as a sole dynamic entity. But when state-run televisions couldn’t provide space for vested interests later, the solution for the western powers was scientific use of social media networks (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) as their primary weapons for enticing friendly opinion making all around the globe.
These tools are not only used bys states but also by individuals and non-state actors. Thus, the internet is a virtual battleground for capturing the hearts and minds of people. The blogowar is on and, forthrightly speaking, we are living with old mindsets and antique tools which are now increasingly futile as far as opinion-making is concerned. The Arab revolutions will bear testament to this fact.
These tools are only powerful in so far as how we choose to use them. The world is changing and so are the tactics of warfare and revolutions. We should catch up or we will be left behind.
JAWAD RAZA KHAN
Lahore
