America's cognitive warfare strategies towards Iran-Iraq relations

Subject Areas :

Morteza Shahidi ^{1 *} , ali bagheri zadeh ² , Ebrahim Anooshe ³

1 -
2 - Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Rafsanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rafsanjan, Iran
3 - استادیار روابط بین الملل دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد رفسنجان

Received: 2025-03-07 Accepted : 2025-06-12 Published : 2025-09-20

Keywords: Cognitive warfare, America, Iran, Iraq, psychological operations, public diplomacy,

Abstract :

Cognitive warfare is used as one of the new tools in geopolitical competitions with the aim of influencing public opinion, changing social behaviors, and guiding the policies of countries. In recent years, the United States has used this tool to reduce Iran's influence in the region, weaken Iran-Iraq relations, and shape the public opinions of these countries. The main question of the research is what goals, tools, and consequences does the US cognitive warfare have against Iran and Iraq, and how has it affected bilateral relations? In this regard, the research hypothesis is based on the fact that the US has tried to weaken Iran's domestic legitimacy, challenge Tehran-Baghdad relations, and incite Iraqi public opinion against Iran through international media, economic sanctions, psychological operations, and public diplomacy. The aim of this research is to examine the methods of US cognitive warfare, its effects on the two countries, and its consequences on bilateral relations. The research method is descriptive-analytical and based on documentary studies conducted through the review of scientific sources, international reports, and media content analysis. The research findings show that the US cognitive war has increased anti-Iranian propaganda, strengthened public dissatisfaction, intensified economic pressures, weakened Iraqi social cohesion, and increased distrust between Tehran and Baghdad. However, Iraq's dependence on Iran in the areas of energy and security has prevented a complete collapse of relations between the two countries. Finally, the research emphasizes that confronting this war requires strengthening media diplomacy, promoting media literacy, increasing public awareness, and deepening economic and cultural cooperation between Iran and Iraq.

References:

بهرامی، م. (1399). جنگ شناختی و تأثیر آن بر سیاست‌های منطقه‌ای ایران. انتشارات پژوهش‌های استراتژیک.
سلیمانی، ف. (1400). جنگ نرم و ابزارهای آن در روابط بین‌الملل. پژوهشگاه علوم انسانی و مطالعات فرهنگی.
کشاورز، ح. (1401). تحلیل روابط ایران و عراق در دوران پس از سقوط صدام و تأثیر آن بر امنیت منطقه‌ای. دانشگاه تهران.
حسینی، ج. (1400). پروپاگاندا و جنگ رسانه‌ای: مفاهیم و کاربردها در دنیای معاصر. انتشارات دانشگاه علامه طباطبایی.
مرادی، م. (1399). مداخلات خارجی و پیامدهای آن بر امنیت داخلی ایران و عراق. انتشارات دانشگاه تربیت مدرس.
جعفری، ر. (1398). بررسی تأثیر تحریم‌های اقتصادی بر روابط ایران و عراق. نشریه سیاست‌های اقتصادی و بین‌المللی.
قربانی، ش. (1401). جنگ‌های شناختی و امنیت ملی ایران: چالش‌ها و راهکارها. پژوهشکده مطالعات بین‌المللی.
دهقان، م. (1397). تحلیل روابط ایران و عراق پس از جنگ تحمیلی و نقش آن در تحولات سیاسی و اقتصادی منطقه. انتشارات روزنامه شرق.
نیکنام، ف. (1399). تأثیر عملیات روانی بر سیاست‌های منطقه‌ای ایران و عراق. مجله تحقیقات بین‌الملل.

Cohen, R. (2021). The US and the Middle East: From Conflict to Cooperation. Princeton University Press.
Fulton, W. (2021). Iran-Iraq Relations in the Shadow of US Policy. Middle East Institute.
Henderson, S. (2023). Energy and Geopolitics in the Middle East. Brookings Institution Press.
Harris, S. (2022). The War for the Middle East: US and Iranian Strategies in the Region. Oxford University Press.
Khatib, L. (2022). Media, War, and Propaganda: The Role of Information in US-Iran Relations. Palgrave Macmillan.
Milani, M. (2021). The Role of Iran in Iraq’s Future. Routledge.
Thompson, J., & Richards, A. (2021). Psychological Operations and Propaganda: US Interventions in the Middle East. Harvard University Press.
Sreberny, A., & Torfeh, M. (2013). Persian Service: The BBC and British Interests in Iran. I.B. Tauris.
Gunter, M. (2021). The Kurdish Question in Iraq. Routledge.
Sadjadpour, K. (2021). Iran's Soft Power and US Countermeasures. Carnegie Endowment.
Behravesh, M., & Kazemi, M. (2020). The Iranian Influence in Iraq: Political and Security Dimensions. International Affairs Journal.
Jahangirian, S., & Moshiri, H. (2020). Economic Sanctions, Political Repression, and War: The Case of Iran. Cambridge University Press.
Katzman, K. (2020). Iran’s Role in the Middle East: Impacts on Regional Security. Congressional Research Service