Challenges to national defence in contemporary geopolitical situation

This paper analyses the cognitive vulnerabilities of the Slovak information environment and identifies mechanisms through which adversarial actors exploit societal fractures to undermine national strategic resilience. The research employs a theoretical-empirical analysis, integrating NATO doctrinal frameworks with psychological concepts and current sociological data on public trust in Slovakia. The findings reveal significant cognitive lability regarding strategic alignment and demonstrate how horizontal mistrust facilitates strategic paralysis. Based on these findings, the authors identify the process of the Preparation of the Population for State Defence as one of the strategic tools for building cognitive resilience. The study provides an original synthesis of cognitive warfare theory and empirical facts, establishing cognitive sovereignty as a cornerstone of modern national security.