Overcoming Information Operations Legal Limitations in Support of Domestic Operations

<p>Overcoming information operations legal limitations in support of domestic operations is a stumbling block to applying information effectively in this environment. Current US Title 10 restrictions limit the use of certain assets (e.g. Psychological Operations PSYOP assets) against the US domestic population during times of crisis. The new FM 3-0 Operations states that information is an element of combat power and this construct in theory allows all Army information tasks to be legally and equally applied in domestic operations. This thesis attempts to answer the question can Army information tasks be legally and doctrinally applied in domestic operations? The Smith -- Mundt Act of 1948 Posse Comitatus Act Insurrection Act of 1807 Stafford Act Title 10 of the Federal Code and Title 32 of the Federal Code all impose legal limitations on the use of military forces in domestic operations. Army information tasks appear to fall in a gray area which requires interpretation as whether or not they can be used in domestic operations. By using content analysis this thesis attempted to examine a broad spectrum of written opinion from various perspectives (legislative executive branch Department of Defense Department of the Army and academic/civilian). This was an attempt to get an understanding of what the overall collective opinions were regarding IO support in domestic operations. The findings indicate the collective thought (or opinion) of the 'Information Community' that it may be possible to apply Army information tasks legally in domestic operations.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>