ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the existing literature about information operations, asking what its contributions and findings are in terms of theory, methods, and empirics. Overall, it puts particular emphasis on the alleged effects of disinformation on democracies. As to the general debate and current threat perceptions, it argues for a reorientation toward knowledge-oriented perspectives and social constructivist research strategies. This is illustrated by a brief document analysis of security strategies issued by core actors at the international scene with respect to recurrent threat frames. As to threat assessment, empirical studies are grouped according to levels of analysis: micro-, meso-, and macro level. The paper argues for a stronger orientation toward the study of macro-level effects and discursive vulnerabilities that would allow for more reflexive and critical research on the issue. This is combined, at the end of the chapter, with a warning against alarmist discourse, securitization, and political overreactions in both: regulatory activities and international security.
