EU-NATO COOPERATION TO COUNTER HYBRID THREARS

Abstract

The current and foreseeable security landscape looks increasingly ‘hybrid’ in nature. Hybrid operations and tactics combine military and non-military as well as covert and overt means, including cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns, use of irregular groups and regular armed forces, espionage, sabotage, economic pressure and personal coercion. The strategic aim of such activities is to blur the lines between peacetime, crisis and conflict – to sow doubt and to foment divisions.

The speed, scale and intensity of hybrid threats have increased in recent years. Responsibility for building resilience against, and responding to, hybrid attacks lies primarily with individual states. However, it is impossible to deal with the range of such threats alone. Given the multitude of domains and individuals potentially affected, as well as the cross border nature of many hybrid activities, more cooperation is required at all levels. Being prepared to prevent, counter and respond to hybrid attacks, whether by state or non-state actors, is a top priority for NATO as well as for the EU. Since 2016, both organizations have identified countering hybrid threats as a priority for cooperation. NATO and the EU could create an effective institutional tandem that has a wide range of diplomatic, information, military and economical instruments at its disposal. The new European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats plays a unique role in facilitating this cooperation.

The article deals with the evolution of the hybrid threats and warfare concepts, as well as, examines recent development of EU –NATO cooperation in countering hybrid threats.

Keywords: security, hybrid warfare, hybrid threats, European Union, NATO.