Borges, José Alberto de JesusValente, Agostinho AmaralCosta, José Martins Gomes da2025-02-072025-02-072024-10-01http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/54300Information operations strategically use information and communication channels to influence perceptions, shape narratives, and achieve specific objectives. This research aims to assess the role, importance, and capabilities of social media networks in the context of Information Operations, focusing on Mali as a case study. We set out the following objectives: to understand the development of Information Operations, how social media networks are related to them and how they can influence a given target audience, the selection of the target audiences, and how to assess their effects. The research methodology adopted resulted from combining data collection and analysis from databases regarding pro-Russian influence and events, investigation on social media networks appertaining to pro-Russian activity, and interviews with Portuguese Officers deployed as Information Operations Officers at EUTM Mali. Our main conclusions are that social media networks play a significant role in the enactment of Information Operations, acting as a multiplier that can both protect and enhance friendly’s capabilities or cripple the opponents through exercising influence, spreading misinformation, providing information, establishing narratives, engaging in counter-propaganda, psychological operations, and other features which effectively can achieve several degrees of success if correctly employed.engInformation OperationsSocial Media NetworksInformation WarfareInfluenceMisinformationMaliEUTMmaster thesis