The military must learn to operate more in the gray zone November 4, 2020 While not necessarily postured to operate daily below the level of armed conflict, the military must learn how to do so in order to defeat adversary advances. (Lance Cpl. Andrew Skiver/Marine Corps) WASHINGTON As nations are increasingly more active in operations that fall below the threshold of traditional conflict, the U.S. military needs to learn how to respond in kind, contends one Marine Corps commander. Being more active in this competition, or gray zone space, is somewhat unfamiliar territory for the U.S. military, but it could be beneficial if competition turns into a hot conflict, said Col. Brian Russell, commander of II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (MIG).
SecDef nominee pledges to evaluate information operations January 20 President Joe Biden s nominee for secretary of defense, retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin, at his confirmation hearing Jan. 19 before the Senate Armed Services Committee. (Greg Nash/Getty Images pool) WASHINGTON Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin, President Joe Biden’s pick to run the Department of Defense, explained that he sees no new authorities needed to conduct operations in the information environment and pledged to review the department’s posture in the domain. If confirmed, Austin will regularly assess DoD’s authorities for the information environment, as well as the department’s resources and strategic alignment, he said in responses to a questionnaire for his Jan. 19 confirmation hearing.