Abstract
Cognitive warfare, understood as the deliberate deployment of informational and psychological operations to influence human perception and decision-making, has emerged as a threat within the European Union’s (EU) security environment. This article contributes to the conceptual clarity of Cognitive Warfare by analyzing how it is framed and addressed across EU policy frameworks and institutional narratives. Findings reveal increasing institutional awareness, as reflected in instruments like the Strategic Compass and the Digital Services Act. Yet, challenges persist, including fragmented responses, weak civil–military coordination, and vulnerability to AI-driven disinformation. The article advocates for an integrated cognitive security strategy built on democratic resilience, regulatory foresight, and intersectoral cooperation, emphasizing the need for continued research on ethical and anticipatory governance.