In a stark warning to India, a former Mossad officer has highlighted the growing threat of information warfare orchestrated by Pakistan and left-wing groups. Sagiv Assulin, in an exclusive conversation with Times Axis, asserted that Israel and India are fighting the same battle on a modern battlefield that extends beyond military confrontation. He described an 'eighth front' where democracies are targeted through propaganda, social media influence, campus radicalisation, and narrative manipulation.
The Eighth Front: Ideological and Digital Warfare
Assulin emphasised that the contemporary battlefield is no longer confined to traditional military engagements. It is now ideological, digital, and psychological. He warned that radical Islamist networks and extreme left-wing movements are collaborating to weaken democratic societies from within. According to him, Pakistan plays the same role for India as Iran and Qatar do for Israel, acting as state sponsors of destabilisation.
Pakistan's Role in the Propaganda War
The former Mossad officer accused Pakistan of using propaganda and social media to influence Indian public opinion and create internal divisions. He argued that Pakistan's strategy mirrors that of Iran and Qatar against Israel, leveraging information warfare to undermine national security and social cohesion.
Information Warfare: The Biggest Danger
Assulin warned that the greatest threat today is not missiles or tanks but information warfare designed to divide nations internally. He pointed to the October 7 attacks and subsequent Hamas propaganda as examples of how perception management has become as critical as battlefield victories. He stressed that Israel and India must recognise the importance of the global perception war and take proactive measures to counter disinformation.
Implications for India
Assulin's warning comes amid growing concerns over foreign interference in Indian affairs. He urged India to strengthen its cybersecurity and media literacy efforts to combat propaganda. The former officer also highlighted the need for closer intelligence cooperation between India and Israel to address shared threats from radical networks.
In conclusion, Assulin's message is clear: the war for global perception is as important as the battlefield itself. Democracies must adapt to this new reality or risk being undermined from within.
