CAIRO — Egyptian authorities are arranging youth seminars throughout the country to shed light on national security concepts and warn against fourth-generation warfare (4GW).

There are various definitions of 4GW. But, as described by Ahmed Minshawi, vice president for graduate studies and research at Assiut University in southern Egypt, fourth-generation warfare doesn't involve military machinery, but rather deploys false information and rumors to sow strife among citizens and weaken the country’s capabilities. It's the concept of destroying a country from within.

“Such a modern war seeks to alter the mindsets of the youths in the targeted country. By circulating rumors, they affect the moral and psychological state of the citizens, particularly the youths," he told Al-Monitor by phone.

He pointed out that Assiut University, after coordinating with Egyptian security agencies, held a number of seminars in 2019 on 4GW and its potential impact on Egypt. The government and security institutions have instructed all Egyptian universities to intensify their seminars and symposiums on this topic.