He researches cognitive warfare and diplomacy

Adan Anwar's doctoral studies focuses on cognitive warfare, disinformation and diplomacy, with a particular interest in how information affects security and political processes in the EU, the Middle East and North Africa.

How is our perception of reality shaped in an age of digital influence? This is one of the questions Adan Anwar seeks to explore in his doctoral project at the Swedish Defence University. His research centres on cognitive warfare, disinformation and diplomacy. The focus lies on how information, narratives and digital influence are used to shape people’s perceptions, affect political processes and alter security environments.

“Conflicts no longer take place solely on the battlefield, but also in the information environment. I want to contribute to a deeper understanding of how these processes work and how societies can respond to them”, says Adan Anwar.

He is pursuing his doctoral studies in collaboration with the Department of Media Technology and Interaction Design at KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

“This means the project is grounded in an interdisciplinary environment where issues of information security, digitalisation, technology and defence intersect. The collaboration is valuable because it makes it possible to combine social science and technical perspectives. It opens up new ways of understanding how disinformation affects security and defence.”

Security policy, societal development and international relations

His interest in the field emerged at the intersection of security policy, societal development and international relations. He is particularly fascinated by how narratives and information not only reflect reality, but can also change it.

“People have always used stories to create meaning and influence their surroundings. Today, narratives are also used strategically in political and security contexts, which makes it especially important to understand them.”

Opportunity for analysis and in-depth study

For Adan Anwar, doctoral studies were a natural next step. He highlights the opportunity to work long-term and analytically with complex issues, while the programme also provides contact with both academia and societal stakeholders.

Since starting in autumn 2025, he describes the environment as stimulating and developmental.

“It involves a great deal of freedom, but also a great deal of responsibility. I value being able to shape my research direction together with supervisors and colleagues. The proximity to societally relevant actors also makes the work feel meaningful.”

Contributing new knowledge on cognitive warfare and disinformation
Looking ahead, he hopes his research will contribute to a greater understanding of cognitive warfare and disinformation, as well as strengthen collaboration between academia, government agencies and other organisations.

“In the long term, I want to contribute to issues relating to Sweden’s and Europe’s security, particularly where information influence, diplomacy and regional perspectives intersect.”