The Russian Reflective Control: Theory and Military Applications

The development of the information security doctrine in the Russian Federation has been underway since the first decade of this century. Currently, the doctrine is applied both at the governmental level and as an instrument for applying military power. From the National Security Doctrine, through the Military Doctrine and analyzing the applications carried out, the article presents how the Russian Federation governs its actions based on the theory of Reflexive Control (RC). Since the theory involves the Russian understanding of information, technical data, cognitive content and "information resources" are understood as technological and human. In this context, Strategic Communication (Public Relations, Public Diplomacy and Information Security Systems) has been the tool for applying the doctrine for a specific purpose. Here we describe the interaction of the RC with the Gerasimov Doctrine, the activities of Information Warfare, with the use of non-military measures, the use of Cyber Warfare, social media and contrasting it with "Controlled Chaos", all with the aim of ensuring Russian development and the social well-being of its population.