Abstract
The ability of modern technology to control narratives, shape international opinion and influence public perception has become so effective that it would play a decisive role in success or failure in any future conflict. Thus, we can safely say that perception is the new reality; a side wins if it is perceived that it has won, whatever may have transpired on ground. Thus, Perception Management has emerged as a new vital tool in modern warfare which equals traditional military strategies and hard power. This brief seeks to study the role of perception management in recent conflicts and tries to identify the factors that led to their success or failure. Three conflicts i.e. Russia Ukraine War, Israel – Hamas conflict and the Indo – Pak Conflagration of May 2025 triggered by the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam. By examining these case studies, the brief seeks to explore effectiveness of various perception management studies strategies, identify reasons for the same and provide concrete recommendations for future conflicts.
