CONTESTED GROUND: When information becomes the battlefield

Joint-capabilities
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By: Robyn Tongol

In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret’d) Dr Marcus Thompson and Liam Garman unpack the escalating role of information warfare in today’s conflicts.

In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret’d) Dr Marcus Thompson and Liam Garman unpack the escalating role of information warfare in today’s conflicts.

From the mobile phone’s transformation into a weapon to the blurred lines between propaganda and “information operations”, the team dissects how truth itself has become contested ground.

The conversation explores the challenges of navigating a “post-truth” world dominated by political tribalism, misinformation, and the weaponisation of narratives. The hosts reflect on conflicts such as Gaza, where competing lobbies and real-time social media footage shape global perceptions.

They also examine Australia’s role within the Five Eyes alliance, including revelations of restricted intelligence sharing around the Ukraine peace talks – a development that could reshape international cooperation and Canberra’s strategic outlook.

The team rounds out the discussion with broader geopolitical and domestic challenges, from US talk of military action in Latin America to Australia’s housing affordability crisis – all underlining the reality that contestation extends far beyond the battlefield.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: CONTESTED GROUND: Australia and the West must ask themselves new questions in the face of the modern world, with Robbin Laird
Episode 10: PODCAST: Black Hawk capability, B-21 bomber debate, and upcoming budget
Episode 9: PODCAST: Supermarine Spitfire, warbird aviation and modern aerial innovation, with Keith Russell
Episode 8: PODCAST: Bushmaster PMV funding, long-range strike expansion and cyber defence
Episode 7: PODCAST: Space Command workforce expansion and operationalising the domain, with Major General Gregory Novak AM
Episode 6: CONTESTED GROUND: The Defence budget, inflationary pressures and domestic information warfare
Episode 5: SPOTLIGHT: Maritime sustainment, mission-ready maintenance and resilient fleet capability, with Serco’s David Astbury
Episode 4: PODCAST: Anzac Day reflections, veteran support reform and ADF workforce trends, with Minister Matt Keogh
Episode 3: SPOTLIGHT: Open-source growth across defence and national security, with SUSE CMO Margaret Dawson
Episode 2: CONTESTED GROUND: Shipping, supply chains and Australia’s exposure to a volatile system, with UNSW’s Professor Douglas Guilfoyle and Associate Professor Daniel Prior