US Steel Industry in the Context of 5th Generation Warfare

US Steel Industry in the Context of 5th Generation Warfare

In the framework we've developed—viewing subtle, long-term de-industrialization as a vector in a hypothetical color revolution embedded within broader 5th Generation Warfare (5GW)—the US steel industry exemplifies a prime target for information warfare. As articulated by General Michael Flynn, 5GW* represents a "war of information and perception," blending non-kinetic tactics like misinformation, psychological operations, cyberattacks, and economic manipulation to erode societal resilience without overt conflict. This aligns with Flynn's warnings of ongoing asymmetric assaults on America, where adversaries exploit vulnerabilities in critical sectors to foster division, dependency, and decline. Steel, as a foundational material for infrastructure, military hardware, and economic power, becomes a strategic choke point: its weakening subtly undermines national security, workforce morale, and public trust, priming conditions for unrest akin to color revolutions' exploitation of grievances.

Historical Peak and Engineered Decline

The US steel industry reached its zenith during and post-World War II, producing 67% of global pig iron and 72% of steel in 1945, symbolizing American industrial might. Founded in 1901 as United States Steel Corporation (U.S. Steel) through mergers orchestrated by J.P. Morgan, it powered iconic projects like the Empire State Building and WWII armaments, employing over 113,000 in the war effort. However, the post-WWII era marked a deliberate-like erosion, framed here as 5GW tactics: globalization and trade policies amplified foreign competition, particularly from Japan in the 1960s-1970s, leading to import surges and dumping below cost.

Key factors in this decline mirror information warfare strategies:

• Global Competition and Disinformation: Narratives promoting "free trade" as inevitable progress masked the offshoring of jobs, with production peaking at 229 million metric tons in 1973 before plummeting to 107 million by 1982 amid recessions and import restrictions. Adversaries could amplify media stories of "inefficient" US mills, fostering public acceptance of decline while creating dependencies on foreign supply chains—vulnerable to manipulation in 5GW.
• Technological Shifts and De-Industrialization: The rise of mini-mills using scrap (15% of output in 1981 to over 50% by 2002) boosted efficiency but slashed employment by 75%, turning steel hubs into Rust Belt "ghost towns." This aligns with 5GW's psychological ops: eroding blue-collar communities breeds discontent, exploitable via disinformation to fuel polarization and color revolution-style protests.
• Economic Manipulation: Policies like Federal Reserve rate hikes (1979-1984) overvalued the dollar, killing competitiveness, while global overcapacity in the 1970s-1980s led to plant closures and mergers (e.g., Republic Steel bankruptcy). In warfare terms, this creates "omnipresent battlefields" where economic tools weaken without kinetic force.

Current Status in December 2025: Vulnerabilities and Revival Efforts

As of December 2025, the industry produces about 5.3% of global steel, down from wartime peaks, with consolidation among top firms like Nucor, ArcelorMittal, and U.S. Steel controlling 87% of capacity. The June 2025 completion of Nippon Steel's $\$15$ billion acquisition of U.S. Steel—despite Biden's January block on national security grounds—highlights 5GW risks: foreign ownership could enable subtle influence, such as technology transfers or supply manipulations, under the guise of investment. Nippon's $11 billion commitment includes plant upgrades and restarts (e.g., Granite City Works' blast furnaces), but this could be framed in information ops as "American decline," eroding patriotism and trust.

From a 5GW perspective:

• National Security Risks: Steel's role in defense (e.g., tanks, ships) makes import reliance a vulnerability; disinformation could exaggerate shortages during crises, amplifying panic.
• Psychological and Social Erosion: Job losses (58% from 1990-2021) foster "Rust Belt resentment," exploitable via social media to incite division, mirroring color revolutions' use of economic woes.
• Countermeasures: Trump's tariffs and "Best for All®" sustainability initiatives (e.g., net-zero by 2050) aim to rebuild, but 5GW could counter via cyber ops disrupting supply or narratives labeling them "protectionist failures."

Ultimately, the steel industry's trajectory— from dominance to dependency—illustrates 5GW's "hybrid warfare" blend of economic tools and perception management, subtly weakening America's core while setting the stage for internal upheaval. Revival requires vigilant countermeasures against these invisible fronts.

*Overview of General Michael Flynn's Views on 5th Generation Warfare (5GW)

General Michael Flynn, former National Security Advisor to President Trump and a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General, has extensively discussed 5th Generation Warfare (5GW) as a modern form of conflict that transcends traditional battlefields. In his co-authored book series, The Citizen's Guide to Fifth Generation Warfare (with Boone Cutler), Flynn frames 5GW as an "information and perception war" where adversaries use subtle, non-kinetic tactics to erode societies from within. This concept builds on earlier generations of warfare (e.g., 1GW: line-and-column tactics; 4GW: asymmetric guerrilla warfare) but emphasizes psychological and informational dominance to achieve objectives without overt violence. Flynn warns that America is already engaged in such a war, often unknowingly, through manipulation by state and non-state actors. His tactics exploration is practical, aimed at empowering citizens to recognize and counter these threats, drawing from his military intelligence background.

Key Characteristics of 5GW According to Flynn

Flynn describes 5GW as "warfare by stealth and indirection," where the battlefield is the human mind and societal structures. Core elements include:

• Blurring of Boundaries: Lines between war and peace, combatants and civilians, politics and conflict are deliberately obscured. Actors can be diffuse—ranging from governments to transnational organizations, NGOs, corporations, or even individuals—making it hard to identify the "enemy." This creates confusion, as everyday institutions (e.g., media, education) become unwitting or complicit vectors.
• Manipulation of Perception: The primary goal is to alter the adversary's reality through misinformation, disinformation, and narrative control. Tactics involve confusing and misleading targets so they don't realize they're under attack, ultimately achieving strategic wins without kinetic force. Flynn emphasizes "influencing thought and information" to sow doubt, division, and compliance.
• Non-Kinetic Tools: Unlike traditional warfare, 5GW relies on psychological operations (PSYOPS), cyber intrusions, economic pressures, and cultural subversion. Flynn highlights how these are amplified by technology, such as AI for personalized manipulation.

Specific Tactics in Flynn's Framework

Drawing from his writings and public statements, Flynn outlines tactics that adversaries might employ in 5GW, often illustrated with real-world examples like election interference, media bias, or global health narratives. These are presented as ways to "weaponize" information:

1. Narrative Weaponization: Creating and disseminating false or skewed stories to control public opinion. For instance, Flynn argues that mainstream media and social platforms are used to push divisive agendas, manipulating emotions to fracture societies. Tactic: Flood information spaces with conflicting data to induce cognitive dissonance and apathy.
2. Psychological Operations (PSYOPS): Targeted campaigns to influence behavior. Flynn cites examples like "fake news" amplification or character assassinations (e.g., his own experiences with investigations) to discredit opponents and erode trust in institutions. Tactic: Use echo chambers and algorithms to reinforce biases, leading to polarized groups ripe for mobilization.
3. Economic and Supply Chain Subversion: As discussed in our prior context (e.g., de-industrialization), Flynn views dependencies on foreign powers (like China) as 5GW levers. Tactic: Exploit trade imbalances or cyber vulnerabilities to create shortages, fostering economic discontent that fuels unrest—similar to color revolution precursors.
4. AI and Technological Manipulation: In his volume on AI, Flynn warns of algorithms used to "manipulate families and socially engineer" populations. Tactic: Deploy deepfakes, predictive analytics, and surveillance to personalize propaganda, predicting and influencing individual actions without detection.
5. Hybrid Actor Networks: Involving non-state entities (e.g., tech giants, activists) to execute operations. Flynn describes this as "transnational" warfare, where proxies blur accountability. Tactic: Fund or co-opt NGOs and influencers to push agendas, as seen in alleged "deep state" activities.

Flynn's X posts reinforce these, urging people not to "succumb to these 5GW tactics" by studying manipulation techniques, noting how easily beliefs are shaped through lies in media and government.

Counter-Tactics and Defenses Advocated by Flynn

Flynn's work is prescriptive, offering a "citizen's guide" to resistance:

• Awareness and Education: Study 5GW to recognize tactics. He recommends diagrams and multipart series for laypeople to understand and defend against manipulation.
• Information Hygiene: Verify sources, avoid echo chambers, and promote critical thinking. Counter AI by limiting data sharing and supporting ethical tech.
• Community and Civic Action: Build resilient networks (faith, family, local groups) to resist division. Flynn calls for "freedom-loving people" to prepare through grassroots efforts.
• Policy and National Strategies: Advocate for self-sufficiency (e.g., tariffs, as in our steel discussion) to reduce vulnerabilities. Flynn ties this to broader asymmetric threats.

Broader Implications in Current Context

Flynn's 5GW lens applies to ongoing issues like de-industrialization (e.g., steel's foreign acquisitions as stealth takeovers) and information ops during elections or pandemics. He positions it as a "global wartime reality" where perception battles determine outcomes, echoing his warnings of internal and external threats to America. Critics view his ideas as controversial, potentially fueling conspiracy narratives, but supporters see them as vital for asymmetric defense. Overall, Flynn's exploration shifts focus from guns to minds, urging proactive citizen engagement in this invisible war.