ABSTRACT

Krishnan describes military applications of neuroscience research and emerging neurotechnology with relevance to the conduct of armed conflict and law enforcement. This work builds upon literature by scholars such as Moreno and Giordano and fills an existing gap, not only in terms of reviewing available and future neurotechnologies and relevant applications, but by discussing how the military pursuit of these technologies fits into the overall strategic context. The first to sketch future neurowarfare by looking at its potentials as well as its inherent limitations, this book’s main theme is how military neuroscience will enhance and possibly transform both classical psychological operations and cyber warfare. Its core argument is that nonlethal strategies and tactics could become central to warfare in the first half of the twenty-first century. This creates both humanitarian opportunities in making war less bloody and burdensome as well as some unprecedented threats and dangers in terms of preserving freedom of thought and will in a coming age where minds can be manipulated with great precision.

chapter 1|16 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|29 pages

Cold War brain research and germ warfare

chapter 3|30 pages

Neuroscientific enhancement

chapter 4|21 pages

Intelligence and prediction

chapter 7|30 pages

The strategic context

chapter 8|27 pages

Neurowarfare

chapter 9|34 pages

Dangers and solutions