Modern conflicts have extended beyond traditional physical domains into the human cognitive sphere. The concept of Cognitive Warfare—emphasizing influence over perception, reasoning, and behavior—has compelled armed forces to re‑evaluate wargame design frameworks. This study aims to identify the theoretical and operational requirements for designing war games that simulate cognitive battles in a localized, culturally‑adapted context for Iran’s defense environment.
Methods:
This qualitative conceptual research synthesizes theoretical findings from three expert sessions held at the AJA Command and Staff University. Data were enriched by systematic reviews of academic works on wargaming, cognitive science, and human‑machine interaction, ensuring a multidisciplinary analytical perspective.
Findings:
Results reveal that cognitive wargame design requires integration of systemic modeling, neuroscience, decision theory, and AI‑based simulation. Four interacting layers—physical, informational, cognitive, and socio‑cultural—define the architecture of cognitive warfare games. Effective design must enable commanders to perceive and adapt to cognitive stressors, biases, and dynamic adversarial contexts.
Conclusions:
Developing a native cognitive wargame demands merging military methodologies with cognitive sciences and ethical frameworks. Such games enhance strategic foresight, cognitive resilience, and decision superiority. The paper concludes with proposed design criteria for institutionalizing cognitive wargaming as a component of national cognitive defense.