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Crucial in any military conflict, information warfare has proved to be a distinguishing characteristic and an essential strategic means in the Russo-Ukrainian War. Both sides have invested in advancing narratives that can facilitate and support their version of truth and that can make a difference in winning the war. Publishing open source and declassified intelligence has been employed as a tactic in an unprecedented way, one that has stimulated an intense debate over the reconceptualisation of intelligence and the new role intelligence needs to play in a larger social context. Due to its novelty and potential, this major shift requires further attention. Additionally, its meanings and reflections deserve deciphering in other national contexts that are relevant for understanding the role of intelligence in the Russo-Ukrainian war. The paper looks at the particular case of Romania, whose relevance is determined mostly by its geographical proximity to the conflict area. By using qualitative research, it aims to investigate the perceptions of two types of respondents: Romanian experts in intelligence, security and strategic communication, and students taking intelligence and security-related study programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to critically reflect on why scholars need to reevaluate the definition of intelligence practices in the 21st century. Our assessment starts with digital communication advancements and their progressive appropriation by power agents to the benefit of propaganda, disinformation, and political manipulation. While analyzing the very nature of intelligence as being 'institutionally' and 'nationally' constructed, the paper advances a new, deeply societal model in which intelligence is de-reified and approached as key instrument in diverting the use of digital communication to de-construct polarizing narratives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]