In recent decades, the nature and character of armed and non-armed confrontations have undergone significant transformation. The traditional model of warfare — clearly defined belligerents, armed forces engaging in open pitched battles, declared war and peace — is no longer dominant. Instead, what we increasingly observe is what is called hybrid warfare: conflicts that blend military, informational, economic, cyber and diplomatic tools. Why has the 21st century ushered in this shift to hybrid methods — and which factors underpin its rise? In this article I analyse the nature, causes, features and implications of this change.
Definition and features of hybrid conflict
The term “hybrid warfare” was first popularised by Frank G. Hoffman in 2007 to describe a situation in which an adversary simultaneously employs conventional forces and methods, as well as irregular, asymmetric, informational and cyber tools. Википедия+2marshallcenter.org+2
According to NATO the phenomenon refers to the “interplay or fusion of conventional and unconventional instruments of power and tools of subversion.” nato.int+1
Key characteristics include:A combination of different forms of force or influence (conventional military, irregular warfare, cyber and information operations) in a blended fashion. smallwarsjournal.com+1
Employment of non-military or semi-military means: informational campaigns, disinformation, economic pressure, legal and diplomatic tools (so-called lawfare). cepa.org+1
Blurred boundaries between war and peace, between combat operations and political/informational pressure. nato.int+1
Difficulty of attribution: identifying who is the aggressor, which instruments are used, and whether the situation constitutes war. nato.int+1
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