What if the Pen is a Sword? Communicating in a Chaotic, Sensational, and Weaponized Information Environment

Janzen argues that decisive narrative battles will take place primarily at the strategic level, and that serious points of potential failure exist along the fault-lines of the political-military dynamic. A scan of the complex information environment will be conducted from a strategic perspective, highlighting domestic and adversarial quandaries. He considers implications for Canada's civil-military relationship, including the need to add ethical influence to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) public affairs toolbox. He will then advocate for a refined strategic communications approach: Altruistic Adaptive Communications Engagement (AACE). Then, concludes by recommending corresponding institutional adaptation at the strategic level to ensure the CAF remains ethical, flexible, connected, and formidable in the information domain.