Across the globe, battles are being fought that leave no visible scars. Wars are waged not only with soldiers and weapons but with messages, perceptions, and influence. Entire campaigns can rise or crumble based on which side convinces communities, allies, and adversaries of the story behind events. The rules of engagement have changed: it is no longer enough to seize ground, intercept missiles, or control airspace. Winning the narrative: shaping what people believe, and whom they believe, has become a decisive measure of power.
In this interview, Dominique L. Plewes steps into focus. A distinguished author, journalist, and strategic advocate at the intersection of national security and the human dimension of conflict, Plewes has spent years in the field, observing how relationships, cultural insight, and storytelling often outweigh technology in shaping outcomes. As the founder of the SOF Support Foundation, her expertise is drawn from "ground truth" gathered across Iraq, Syria, Ukraine, and other global flashpoints.
Plewes has seen that while drones can monitor coordinates and algorithms can track patterns, real influence depends on human presence, credibility, and the ability to act in ways that resonate on the ground. "Technology amplifies intent, but people determine meaning," she notes, a principle that underpins the operations of units like the 1st Theater Information Advantage Detachment.
Q: Recently, there has been discussion about a new Army program called TIAD. What exactly is it, and why does it matter?
Dominique: In November, the Army officially activated the 1st Theater Information Advantage Detachment, commonly known as the 1st TIAD. In traveling through the world's conflict zones, and particularly in Iraq and Syria, our government's inability to build and maintain relationships with locals continually jumped out as a lost opportunity. The recent surge in AI and other technologies has led many to believe that they are the solution to this problem.
Fortunately, the Army understood that to win the Gray Zone battles they faced, they needed to balance purely digital messaging with an approach that grounded their credibility in physical presence and human interaction. The TIAD is a 65-soldier unit designed to sense, understand, decide, and act within the information environment of the Indo-Pacific. While traditional units focus on seizing physical high ground, the TIAD focuses on seizing the narrative high ground. While it is modest in size, its establishment is a milestone in that it serves notice that in this technologically driven time, we have not forgotten the importance of people, physical presence, and storytelling.
Q: Why was the unit activated at this particular time, and why in the Indo-Pacific region?
Dominique: Adversaries like the People's Republic of China use disinformation, economic coercion, and cyber attacks to achieve their goals without ever crossing the threshold to a shooting war. The TIAD was stood up because the Army realized it couldn't counter a 24/7 disinformation machine with ad hoc teams. It needs a permanent, persistent presence that lives in the region, understands the local nuances, and can debunk a lie before it travels around the world.
Q: Given the vast array of new technologies, including AI, is physical presence really still important?
Dominique: ABSOLUTELY. In an age dominated by social media and artificial intelligence, the TIAD emphasizes the importance of physical presence. Trust cannot be built solely through screens. By embedding soldiers in local communities, the TIAD reinforces its messaging with actions. For example, a Civil Affairs team repairing a school in a remote village sends a powerful message of partnership and reliability that no digital campaign can replicate. This "braided interaction of words, deeds, and images" ensures that the U.S. narrative resonates with native populations.
Q: The term "Narrative Warfare" is often used in this context. How is it defined?
Dominique: Narrative warfare is the competition over the meaning of events. The TIAD ensures that U.S. actions align with its messaging, creating a cohesive, credible narrative. For instance, when adversaries portray U.S. naval exercises as "aggression," the TIAD counters with narratives emphasizing the protection of international law and regional stability. By integrating intelligence, cyber capabilities, and human interaction, the unit crafts culturally resonant messages that strike a chord with local populations.
Q: How have the roles of Intelligence and Civil Affairs evolved in this framework?
Dominique: While advancements in AI and technology have transformed many aspects of military operations, traditional intelligence and Civil Affairs remain indispensable. These units act as the "sensors" of the information environment, identifying key communicators and building relationships with local leaders. By amplifying the voices of trusted community figures, the TIAD ensures that its messaging is both authentic and compelling.
Q: How do the various elements of TIAD work together in practice?
Dominique: The 1st TIAD represents a new model in which Cyber, Public Affairs, and Civil Affairs work in concert to achieve "360-degree" information effects. For example, when a disinformation campaign is identified, Cyber teams neutralize the digital infrastructure, Public Affairs crafts counter-messages, and Civil Affairs delivers those messages to the right audiences on the ground. This holistic approach ensures that adversary narratives are swiftly debunked and replaced with the truth.
Q: Are there plans to establish similar units in other regions of the world?
Dominique: This is the first of three planned detachments, with others focusing on Europe and trans-regional operations. Each unit is tailored to its specific theater but shares the same philosophy: information is a dynamic element of combat power that leaders must command. The ultimate goal is "Decision Dominance"—enabling commanders to see and shape the information environment as clearly as the physical terrain.
Q: What metrics will indicate the success of these efforts?
Dominique: Success will not be measured in likes or shares but in access and influence. Are allies granting access to critical infrastructure? Is the local population resisting adversary propaganda? Is the narrative of a "free and open Indo-Pacific" prevailing? By aligning actions with words and building trust through physical presence, the TIAD ensures that the U.S. remains a credible and reliable partner.
Q: Are there final thoughts on the role of people versus technology in this program?
Dominique: Yes, we must not lose sight of the fact that while technology is a powerful tool, people are the platform. In the high-stakes game of narrative warfare, no algorithm can replace the intuition of a soldier on patrol or the handshake of a diplomat. By combining technical precision with human presence, the 1st TIAD is redefining how the United States operates in the information age—proving that the truth, delivered in person, is still the most effective weapon of all.
Blending Technology with Trust on the Ground
Dominique's insights highlight a central truth of modern conflict: technology can amplify reach, but influence is ultimately human. The TIAD embodies this principle by combining intelligence, civil affairs, and cyber capabilities into a coordinated effort that prioritizes trust, credibility, and cultural understanding. Controlling the narrative is about building relationships that give those messages weight and meaning on the ground. By embedding soldiers within communities and aligning actions with words, the TIAD demonstrates that presence and human connection remain the most powerful tools in shaping perceptions and outcomes.
The 1st TIAD signals a broader shift in strategy, where physical engagement and human insight are as critical as technological advantage. In an era dominated by screens, social media, and algorithms, success is measured in influence, access, and credibility. By proving that real impact comes from people acting with knowledge, judgment, and empathy, the TIAD sets a new standard for operations in the information age, reminding the world that even in the most advanced theaters of warfare, human presence remains the most enduring force.
ⓒ 2026 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
