stage for an in-depth exploration of psychological warfare, highlighting its ongoing presence before, during, and after conventional conflict. Linebarger introduces key concepts, stating that psychological warfare transcends traditional military categorizations and is often defied by a lack of clear boundaries. He provides historical examples, enumerating notable instances—such as Gideon's clever tactics against the Midianites—to illustrate psychological manipulation in warfare. The author emphasizes the need for strategic understanding and tactical execution in psychological operations while asserting its significant impact on the outcomes of conflicts, urging readers to appreciate its complexity and relevance in modern military doctrine. (This is an automatically generated summary.)