What does this research mean for the field?

Deepfakes significantly expand the complexity of information warfare, serving as strategic tools for narrative manipulation and morale influence, as demonstrated by both states in the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine how state actors deploy AI-generated synthetic content as instruments of information warfare to shape strategic narratives and coerce adversaries during military conflict.

September 2, 2026International Journal Canada s Journal of Global Policy AnalysisOpen Access

Deepfakes as Statecraft: Information Warfare and Strategic Narratives in the 2025 India–Pakistan Conflict

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Authors

OAOzan Ayata AWAlex Wilner

Discussion

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Overview

Policy analysis demonstrates state-level deployment of deepfakes during interstate conflict, highlighting the growing complexity of AI-driven information warfare and national defense.

Key Points

To examine how state actors deploy AI-generated synthetic content as instruments of information warfare to shape strategic narratives and coerce adversaries during military conflict.
Conducted a policy case analysis examining synthetic media dissemination during the May 2025 India–Pakistan conflict.
Evaluated the operational objectives, narrative strategies, and target audiences of state-sponsored deepfake campaigns alongside institutional mitigation requirements.
Both conflicting states systematically deployed synthetic media to bolster domestic morale, degrade adversary psychological resilience, and shape international perceptions.
Deepfake technologies expanded the reach, velocity, and complexity of modern information operations by lowering barriers to producing convincing state-sponsored propaganda.
Effective institutional defense against synthetic media warfare requires rapid detection capabilities, multi-agency coordination, and proactive societal resilience initiatives.

Cite This Study

Ayata et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a97e237c562ede874ec6466 https://doi.org/10.1177/00207020261484554

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September 2, 2026International Journal Canada s Journal of Global Policy AnalysisOpen Access

Deepfakes as Statecraft: Information Warfare and Strategic Narratives in the 2025 India–Pakistan Conflict

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

OAOzan Ayata AWAlex Wilner

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Policy analysis demonstrates state-level deployment of deepfakes during interstate conflict, highlighting the growing complexity of AI-driven information warfare and national defense.

Key Points

To examine how state actors deploy AI-generated synthetic content as instruments of information warfare to shape strategic narratives and coerce adversaries during military conflict.
Conducted a policy case analysis examining synthetic media dissemination during the May 2025 India–Pakistan conflict.
Evaluated the operational objectives, narrative strategies, and target audiences of state-sponsored deepfake campaigns alongside institutional mitigation requirements.
Both conflicting states systematically deployed synthetic media to bolster domestic morale, degrade adversary psychological resilience, and shape international perceptions.
Deepfake technologies expanded the reach, velocity, and complexity of modern information operations by lowering barriers to producing convincing state-sponsored propaganda.
Effective institutional defense against synthetic media warfare requires rapid detection capabilities, multi-agency coordination, and proactive societal resilience initiatives.

Cite This Study

Ayata et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a97e237c562ede874ec6466 https://doi.org/10.1177/00207020261484554

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