Information: Donovia
This page is a section of Donovia.
Donovia maintains a large information environment, with its Internet industries counted among the world’s most active. However, censorship, while unofficial, is pervasive regarding corruption and other government malfeasance. Donovian INFOWAR capability is highly developed and world- leading in a number of critical areas.
Contents
Satellite Telecommunications
As Donovia is the largest, most dominate country in the region it possesses a wide range of satellite capabilities. Most are suited for dual-use by the Donovian military. Currently, Donovia operates four commercial telecommunications satellites utilizing Ku-band transponders in a geostationary orbit. All satellites are powered by solar array panels. These commercial satellites may be used to support military operations when necessary. Additionally, the Donovian military operates two communication satellites using Ku and C band transponders. The satellites are in a geostationary orbit powered by solar array antenna. The Donovian government also leases Ku, L, and S bandwidth from commercial satellite companies that support government and military operations when necessary.
Donovia has an established history in the development and use of navigation satellite systems. Currently, Donovia operates four navigation satellite systems using L-band transponders. The combined systems create a network of navigation services and provide regional coverage of the Caucasus Mountains and surrounding areas. When necessary, Donovian military units purchase off the shelf commercial GPS receivers for navigation support.
Public Communications Media
Donovia’s public communications sector is dominated by TV, though the Internet is making considerable inroads into this area, especially among more urban, young, and educated populations. Television, radio, and print media are developed and mature, though completely beholden to political and economic elites and only in rare cases willing to publish information derogatory to the government. The Internet is the freest of spaces, and social media is the preferred outlet for reporting of uncensored news, along with interpersonal communication.
Internet
Since the outrage over the Four Traitors, the Donovian Internet has blossomed in economic and social terms. Economically, the Internet is of growing importance in Donovia, and Donovian Internet security providers are among the world’s best. Perhaps not coincidentally, Donovia is a world leader in malware, virus protection, and security circumvention tools. Twenty-five percent of Donovians access the Internet monthly, with this number skewed upward in urban areas, and downward in rural areas and the southern tier of the country. The Donovian government is heavily involved in the Internet in Donovia, engaging in soft censorship of topics sensitive to its interests. It does this through the mobilization of large numbers of loyalists engaging in a wide range of harassment tactics, likely through the direct but hidden sponsorship of the Donovian security services.
Television
Television in Donovia is the most mature and pervasive media, but is increasingly centralized under either the government or corporate concerns allied directly with the highest government circles. Ninety-five percent of all Donovians have access to a television. Twelve channels broadcast nationally, and a number of private channels are broadcast either over the air or via satellite. These private entities are often specific content oriented, like children’s, sports, or cultural programming.
Radio
Donovia maintains a number of public and private radio broadcasters. Broadcasting is done over AM, FM, and High Frequency (HF) bands, though the latter is radically decreasing in importance as the Internet penetrates into more rural areas. The Donovian government also maintains a foreign broadcast presence throughout the region, which while ostensibly aimed at Donovian citizens residing in other countries, includes programming in other regional languages. These broadcasts are generally heavily-slanted propaganda.
Print Media
The Donovian print media has exploded and is less robustly controlled than Donovian TV, but more so than the Internet. The media does operate within bounds of “soft censorship,” avoiding topics that are too sensitive for the government to ignore, especially regarding corruption or other malfeasance of high officials. However, reporting on general government missteps, especially those of the bureaucracy or military, is allowed. Donovia has a robust scientific and engineering print establishment as well.
Telephone
Donovian telephone services are increasingly robust, depending primarily on satellite for long-haul transmission and integrating cellular services at an increasing rate. Every major city maintains a significant local phone capability by regional standards. Cellular services are generally available and relatively cheap. In the major areas, 3G coverage is available, while GSM is the standard for the rest of the country. Coverage areas are maintained within most major cities and along most major routes of travel.
Postal/Courier
Donovian postal and courier systems are generally well-established, reliable, and capable of moving significant amounts of freight throughout the nation. Along with the Donovian national postal system, international freight providers and local freight forwarders are well entrenched in the nation. Donovia is the home to many specialty freight movement providers, like aircraft heavy lift.
Word of Mouth
Donovian word-of-mouth communication is among the least important modes, similar to other advanced nations. A combination of the rise of the Internet, mature TV and radio, and widely available print media makes more traditional forms of communication increasingly obsolete. As with much of the Caucasus, the rise of text messaging first among youth, and increasingly among much of the rest of the population, is changing the dynamics of personal interaction. Social media is becoming the preferred means of communication, not just for personal use but for political opposition as well.
Information Control
Donovian information control is unique and pervasive, though not as obvious as in Ariana or other repressive nations. However, most mass media that is not government-controlled is monitored and ultimately controlled by a variety of government and government-allied and -sponsored entities. Donovian authorities and broadcasters are also aware of the power of patriotic messages, and will often dress up unpalatable news or announcements in patriotic/historical boilerplate.
INFOWAR
Donovia’s information warfare (INFOWAR) capability is highly developed, and can attack a US unit throughout the range of operations and present a credible peer-level threat. As the Donovian conventional and nuclear capability receded after the Four Traitors, Donovian military theorists looked to INFOWAR to level the conventional disparity between itself and the West and provide a means of national deterrence as an alternative to nuclear weapons.
Electronic Warfare
Donovia maintains an extensive electronic warfare (EW) capability, especially in comparison with regional opponents. While Donovian capabilities are not up to those of Western countries, they are well integrated into the Donovian force structure and are a key enabler for combat forces. Donovia maintains a wide variety of sensors and jammers on ground, air, and naval platforms. The largest Donovian EW weakness is a shortage of trained operators for its EW capacity.
Computer Attack
Donovia sustains one of the three most advanced computer attack (CA) capabilities in the world. Donovian CA is a core capability of its intelligence apparatus, and is backed by a significant civilian R&D effort. Thus the Donovians maintain the ability to conduct CA along a spectrum of ability ranging from small, deniable probes to massive, overwhelming onslaught. Donovian CA actors are often supple and subtle, and will attempt to use other INFOWAR capability such as deception and protection to enable computer attack.
Information Attack
Donovian capability for information attack (IA) has increased over the past 10 years to the point where, along with much of Donovian cyber capability, it ranks globally as one of the top three actors. The Donovians are expert at integrating this capability with other INFOWAR elements, and will rely on IA in conflict against enemies with technological overmatch. Indeed, recent Donovian INFOWAR theory states that IA is the core of any attack, from the tactical to the strategic.
Deception
Donovian deception operations are excellent, although not the absolute cutting-edge quality of other Donovian INFOWAR capabilities. While deception is a hallmark of Donovian doctrine operationally, the Donovians will often default to either ignoring their deception plan or using a relatively simple one. Donovians also have a robust manufacturing capability to make high-fidelity decoys and will make great attempts when deployed out of their garrisons to avoid or confuse enemy collection assets.
Physical Destruction
Traditional Donovian tactics maintains the importance of destroying enemy INFOWAR capability to give friendly Donovian elements maximum freedom of maneuver and protection from enemy targeting. Donovian deep strike elements such as short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, strike aircraft, and special operations forces will aggressively target enemy INFOWAR assets and capabilities. Donovian doctrine stresses the eventual destruction of enemy INFOWAR assets after their neutralization by non-strike means. Among these assets is a growing anti-satellite (ASAT) capability. This ASAT effort includes mastery of the entire kill-chain, with a variety of ground-based radar and visual sensors cueing air-launched missiles carried by specially-equipped interceptor aircraft. It is likely that ASAT efforts would attempt to neutralize enemy space-based surveillance and communications efforts early in any potential conflict.
Protection and Security Measures
Donovian protection and security measures (PSM) are good, though not as advanced as the best US, NATO, or Israeli capability. Donovian PSM focus on the destruction of enemy systems, either through physical destruction or corruption of their information systems. Thus, Donovian doctrine stresses that PSM should not be so robust as to prevent other sensors and INFOWAR systems from operating; rather, such measures should allow a degree of protection before the offense is taken.
Perception Management
Donovian perception management operations are likely the weakest of the Donovian INFOWAR capabilities. Between language, cultural, and political barriers, the ability of the Donovians to effectively target any population save their own is limited. Donovians will likely use perception management most aggressively on their own population as a mechanism to generate support for Donovian government operations.
Intelligence
Donovia possesses the second- or third-largest intelligence complex in the world. The Donovians have a foreign intelligence service, the Organization of External Information, a domestic intelligence service, known as the Federal Protective Service, and a military intelligence wing, the General Service Organization. All three organizations are very involved in operations globally and are highly capable. Much of that capability is focused on the Caucasus region, as Donovian security challenges with terrorism, economic rivalry, and local competitors to Donovian influence are all highly active in the area. Donovians perceive the other countries in the Caucasus region as the “Near Abroad” and believe that they have a unique and dominant historical role in the area.
Human Intelligence
Donovian human intelligence (HUMINT) capabilities are among the best in the world. Considering the high level of interest that the Caucasus region maintains in Donovian defense and diplomatic circles, it is reasonable to assess high activity of Donovian HUMINT collection in the area. Donovian HUMINT is aided by high levels of Donovian economic, government, and military activity in the area. Additionally, Donovian relationships dating back decades exist with many locally-influential political, economic, military, and social actors. The Donovian HUMINT services are aggressive and able, in exploiting these relationships and other enablers, to effectively service HUMINT targets.
Open Source Intelligence
Open source intelligence (OSINT) efforts within Donovia generally focus on Western rivals as opposed to other Caucasus nations. Donovian intelligence likely uses OSINT for strategic analysis efforts, versus those at operational or tactical levels.
Signals Intelligence
Donovian signals intelligence (SIGINT) assets include ground, ship/sub, aircraft, and satellite collection capability. Donovian SIGINT is robust and well-connected to shooter platforms, often providing the early warning and target discrimination capability for hard-kill capable platforms. Donovian collection likely uses the poor discipline and obsolete equipment of regional targets to gain significant insight into regional actors’ intentions and capabilities. Donovia also maintains SIGINT collection stations around the world.
Imagery Intelligence
Donovian imagery intelligence (IMINT) collection capability is second only to the US. Donovia maintains a fleet of air-breathing manned and UAV platforms for tactical collection, and an overhead space collection capability. Donovia maintains two dedicated military imaging satellites with electro-optical (EO) capabilities and synthetic aperture radar. Its newest EO collector is panchromatic capable, with a 13-inch resolution at nadir. In addition, Donovia has access to multiple commercial imaging capabilities through lease agreements with foreign countries.
Measurement and Signatures Intelligence
Donovia maintains a large and capable measurement and signatures intelligence (MASINT) collection program. Backed by a highly-capable national scientific intelligence apparatus, Donovian MASINT is probably the most capable of any non-Western nation in the world. MASINT operations typically support all other intelligence collection efforts, and can provide direct support to combat operation through space-based collectors such as IR imagers.
Summary
Donovia is a large dynamic information environment. A world-class source of various Internet and INFOWAR technology and tactics, the Donovians are likely to leverage their capability to the utmost during a crisis. Donovia’s mass media operates under a regime of significant government interest in adverse reporting, so the Internet is the most free information sphere within Donovia with the social media being the heart of Donovian political opposition.