Importance of building cognitive superiority

Date: (27-06-2025)
CMDR COE successfully concluded the third iteration of the Cognitive Warfare Course, conducted from 23 to 27 June 2025 at the Centre’s premises in Sofia.
This year’s session welcomed more than 40 participants from nine countries, who actively engaged in the program and contributed meaningfully to the lessons, practical exercises, and collective discussions. Throughout the course, distinguished experts in the field (recognized specialists from academia, the French and Bulgarian Ministries of Defence, NTCenter, Identrics, the American University in Bulgaria, Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, the Center for the Study of Democracy, and the CMDR COE) shared valuable insights into the domain of Cognitive Warfare starting from the foundational and scientific aspects of cognition to the core elements of NATO’s Cognitive Warfare Concept and the pressing challenges faced by the Alliance. These include operating in complex environments shaped by hybrid threats, irregular warfare, and rapid technological innovation—particularly the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI).
Participants also emphasized the critical importance of building cognitive superiority and enhancing resilience. As a conclusion to the course, attendees took part in a constructive syndicate exercise and assessment, which provided an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in practice. The final output included a draft concept identifying key vulnerabilities and offering recommendations for the development of a future national strategy.
News

Participation of CMDR COE representatives at I/ITSEC, 28 NOV - 02 DEC 2022.
» read more
Organized by the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (HNDGS) Multinational Exercise CASTLE-22, 28-30 NOV 2022.
» read more
21-25 November 2022, residential and online iteration
» read more
Annual event of the Defence Administration Department
» read more
NATO IMS GENAD Office-organised Deep Dive session
» read more
On the 16th November 2022 was signed a Framework Collaboration Agreement between the CMDR COE and "Carol I" National Defence University, Bucharest Romania.
» read more
Euro-Atlantic Resilience Forum 2022: Black Sea Perspectives in the Age of Hybrid Aggression and Disinformation
» read more
On the occasion of the World Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day
» read more
The tenth meeting of the CMDR COE governing body
» read more
Command Post Exercise (CPX), "SEVEN STARS 22", 03-07 OCT 2022
» read more
On the Day of Sofia, the CMDR COE representatives joined the Initiative „Let’s Clean Bulgaria Together”, which unites institutions, non-governmental and business organizations and volunteers in the name of the cause of a cleaner environment.
» read more
Crisis Response Operation Planners Professional Development Course (12-16 Sep 22)
» read more
The CMDR COE Team won the cup in the category Governmental Institutions at the 8th Sofia Ekiden (Relay) Marathon on 6 September 2022.
» read more
» read more

An Annex to the Tehnical Agreement was signed between the CMDR COE and the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy formalizing the commitment to implement the agreed activities within the next 5 years.
» read more
The European Security and Defence College (ESDC) had the honour of co-organising the course on Disaster Relief in CSDP Context, together with the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence, the Diplomatic Institute to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria and the Romanian National College of Home Affairs.
» read more
Interns present their research on CMDR-related topics.
» read more
The aim of the course is to provide basic knowledge about the impact of man-made, natural and climate driven disasters on the European Security.
» read more
CMDR COE Director awarded for contribution
» read more
CMDR COE Panelist to the NATO Partnerships 360 Symposium.
» read more