Former Mossad officer Sagiv Asulin has called for enhanced strategic cooperation between India and Israel to counter what he describes as the growing threat of information warfare and manipulated narratives, referring to it as the “eighth front”.
Speaking on contemporary security challenges, Asulin said that modern conflicts are no longer confined to traditional military domains but increasingly extend into the digital sphere, including social media platforms, online propaganda networks and coordinated disinformation campaigns. He characterised this evolving domain as a “war of public perception”, capable of shaping international opinion, political discourse and national reputations, with a particular impact on younger audiences.
He noted that both India and Israel are currently exposed to similar narrative-driven campaigns aimed at influencing global perception. Referring to India’s “Operation Sindoor”, he suggested that military developments are often followed by parallel struggles in the information space at the international level.
Asulin highlighted the shared democratic values of the two countries, describing India as the world’s largest democracy and Israel as a unique Jewish democratic state. He argued that this common foundation strengthens their bilateral relationship, which he said extends beyond strategic cooperation to one based on trust. He also stated that intelligence sharing between the two nations has been consistent and is expected to continue.
Describing the “eighth front” as one of the most significant theatres of modern conflict, Asulin said it spans universities, traditional media, digital platforms and international institutions. He further argued that such narrative battles are increasingly shaped by extremist ideologies and radical political movements.
He added that countries including the United States, across Europe, as well as India and Israel, are confronting similar challenges in the information domain. Referring to the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, he said that the aftermath illustrated how modern conflicts extend beyond the battlefield into global opinion warfare.
According to Asulin, military capability alone is no longer sufficient in contemporary geopolitics, and effective management of information and narratives has become equally critical. Analysts similarly suggest that information warfare and digital influence operations are likely to play an increasingly central role in global security and international relations in the coming years.
