Information: Limaria
The information environment in Limaria suffers from a combination of lack of investment and stifling government censorship. Limaria rulers view mass media as a tool of the state, and a means for mobilizing the population. The Limarian INFOWAR effort is a competent one overall, borrowing from extensive links with the Donovian military and deployed experience with NATO and US forces.
Satellite Telecommunications
As a small country, Limaria relies on third-party satellite services and coordinates the use of Donovian satellite telecommunication systems when necessary. The Donovian systems used by Limaria operate Ku-band transponders and may further be used to support government and military operations.
Limaria commercially purchases global positioning receivers that support commercial needs as well as military navigation and targeting operations.
Public Communications Media
Limaria generally controls the public communication media, though the Internet has relative freedom. Ownership of media is incestuous—multiple outlets are often owned ultimately by a single entity. The government does not engage in obvious censorship, but broadcasters do not wish to test the boundaries of permissible reporting.
Internet
Limaria boasts that over 47% of its population can access the Internet. While the number is likely inflated, the Internet serves as a significant communications media within the country. Limarian Internet operates more slowly than in the other regional countries, primarily due to a dependency on dial-up connectivity. The economic value of the Internet to Limaria will increase as mobile phone data throughput and cheaper, faster landline-based connectivity reaches a more reasonable price point. Social media, generally free from government intrusion, is growing in popularity.
Television
Television serves as the most important electronic communications medium in Limaria. Limaria boasts a highly dynamic television environment with over 35 domestic stations, along with two public television broadcasters. In addition, Limarian viewers can receive broadcasts from Donovia and Ariana. Of the foreign broadcasters, the Donovian broadcasts are most popular. Also, satellite and local rebroadcasts of European and American programming are gaining in popularity, especially among the young.
Radio
Limarian radio broadcasts a total of nine stations, both public and private, on AM, FM, and short wave. Listeners can choose between programs in either Limarian or Donovian languages. The Limarians also receive foreign broadcasts from European and North American sources through satellite and local rebroadcast, both of which are highly popular.
Print Media
At present, 24 magazines, 25 press agencies, and 232 newspapers operate in Limaria. Several national newspapers represent a variety of political stances. The media includes both government-controlled or government-sponsored outlets and independent publications.
Telephone
Three major telephone companies comprise the Limarian telecommunications industry, composed of 2.336 million cellular phones and 650,000 landlines. FastTalk, the major player, operates all Limarian landline telephones and 30% of the mobile subscribers. LimarCell serves as the largest cellular telephone provider in Limaria, with over 50% of mobile subscribers. A third company, Plum, holds about 15–20% of the cellular market. FastTalk recently converted or plans to convert all landline connections to digital fibers, with more modern and robust trunk lines to connect Limaria internationally.
Postal/Courier
Users find the Limarian postal network available, reasonably priced, and generally reliable. Combined with international courier services, Limaria serves as the transfer point for most mail and packages to and from Lower Janga. Limaria also functions as an import-export hub for courier services to Ariana.
Word of Mouth
Limaria maintains a distinct rural/urban, youth/age divide with respect to communications. Limarian urban dwellers and youths will typically communicate via mobile phone technology as opposed to their older and rural countrymen, who prefer traditional face-to-face conversation.
Information Control
Limarian messages focus on the continual Atropian and Kalarian motives and threats along with the country’s historical isolation from its natural allies. Limarian information control is expected to play up Limaria’s “Western-ness” and “Christianity” for foreign audiences in the West, while the Limarians pursue relations and create friendly perceptions with Arianian and Donovian audiences. Limaria also uses its large diaspora, especially in the US, to present its message.
INFOWAR
INFOWAR in the Caucasus region contains a mixture of old and new technology. While older Donovian equipment forms the backbone for much of the region’s INFOWAR warfighting capability, the countries conduct advanced operations with dedicated INFOWAR units. For example, regional perception management activities, often web-based, form the current global state-of-the-art. Internet operations are frequently used as an adjunct to major combat operations. Most countries in the Caucasus focus their INFOWAR on their likely adversaries.
Electronic Warfare
Donovian electronic warfare (EW) capabilities continue to strongly influence Limarian EW equipment, plans, training, and operations. Limaria maintains a diverse set of defense ties with NATO and Donovia. NATO’s influence supplements but does not replace Donovian-made core capability. Tactics are Donovian-derived.
Computer Attack
Limaria maintains a large body of computer experts and possesses the third most-competent computer attack capability in the Caucasus, after Donovia and Ariana. Limaria uses computer attack for both intelligence collection and cyber attacks. Combined with expected Donovian assistance, Limarian computer attack capabilities could probably threaten even nation-state actors with severe cyberspace damage, if not militarily decisive attacks.
Information Attack
Limaria possesses limited information attack (IA) capabilities and probably at a level below that fielded by either its Kalarian or Atropian adversaries. Limarians are apt to request Donovian and sympathetic non-state actors to provide hackers to increase Limarian capability in times of increased tension or conflict.
Deception
Limarian deception operations involve an amalgamation of Donovian and Western operational conceptions, with a heavy Donovian-style emphasis on deception as a basis for operations. Deception operations will be based on decoys, extensive camouflage, and use of derelict equipment.
Physical Destruction
Limarians consider physical destruction a prime element of INFOWAR. Limarian forces will view the destruction of Atropian sensors as a main effort and could target them through a combination of special purpose forces, artillery, rockets, and air strikes.
Protection and Security Measures
Due to close relations with Donovia, Limarian protection and security measures (PSM) resemble Donovian PSM, along with additional capabilities derived from experience with NATO/US forces and some home-grown capability. Limaria historically has a high-technology capability from its expatriate Limarians working abroad and, combined with significant foreign education among the population, Limaria should find the ability to mobilize a significant and effective war-time PSM effort.
Perception Management
Limaria can craft a variety of excellent messages, especially for external audiences, due to the large number of Limarians who reside in foreign countries. Limaria will either attempt to appear neutral in any regional conflict or to be a victim of Atropian or Kalarian aggression. The Limarians, however, are expected to downplay their links with Donovia or Ariana.
Intelligence
Limaria maintains an intelligence service, the Military National Bureau (MNB), with considerable links to Donovian intelligence services. Limarian targets focus on Atropia, with Kalaria and Ariana as major secondary targets. The MNB monitors terrorists who transit Limarian territory and maintains special operations forces capable of direct action, training, or collection programs. It is likely that Limarian operations are coordinated with Donovian intelligence, and Limarian analysts and collectors are trained by Donovian intelligence.
Human Intelligence
Donovia probably supports Limarian human intelligence (HUMINT) efforts since the Donovians maintain a significant presence in Limaria. Limarian HUMINT directs its efforts at Atropian targets, with the highest priority to operations in Lower Janga. Limaria’s additional targets are presumably Ariana and Kalaria, as well as other major countries with influence operations.
Open Source Intelligence
Limaria probably maintains a significant open source intelligence (OSINT) collection focused on Atropian public pronouncements and Arianian atmospherics. Limaria also collects on Kalaria and other NATO nations. Limarian intelligence receives a large amount of OSINT information from the large number of Limarians who reside in Donovia, the West, and the Middle East.
Signals Intelligence
Limarian signals intelligence (SIGINT) synchronizes its efforts with the Donovian forces stationed in its country, especially for air defense early warning. Limaria likely maintains a significant collection apparatus, though the level of coordination and intelligence-sharing with Donovian forces remains unknown.
Imagery Intelligence
Internal Limarian imagery intelligence (IMINT) capabilities remain limited to air-breathing assets like helicopters, but an imagery-sharing relationship with Donovia is probable. Limarian IMINT targets include its borders with Atropia and Kalaria. Donovia may also use Limarian bases to collect against regional targets, especially Gorgas.
Measurement and Signatures Intelligence
Donovia probably supplies Limaria with most of its measurement and signatures intelligence (MASINT), as Limaria possesses little internal MASINT capability. Limarian MASINT operations might focus on border control, security, and counterintelligence support.
Summary
Limaria is a competent INFOWAR operator, backed by a significant economic services sector focused on high technology. Its civilian information environment is stunted due to fear of government reaction, though the Internet is widespread and growing in popularity. It is likely that Limaria will continue to develop its INFOWAR capability, especially in computer-related fields. The government will allow the Internet to be a relatively free medium of exchange, while keeping a close eye on TV and other mass media.