State and non-state actors alike increasingly resort to more subtle means below the threshold of traditional conflict to undermine security or complement their war efforts. For example, Russia has aided and abetted Belarus’ use of refugees as weapons and its state-sponsored terrorism, conducted cyberattacks against key infrastructure, (not so) secretly funded private mercenaries, spread disinformation through state-run propaganda outlets and the use of deep fakes, engaged in psychological and false flag operations, and financed corruption in order to undermine public confidence in decision-makers. This hybrid warfare toolkit may also include the intentional withholding of natural resources (water, energy, food staples, etc.), trafficking in drugs and small weapons, and engagement in economic coercion. These challenges are global in nature and require a more joined-up approach to mitigate their effects.
What lessons can be learned from Ukraine? How do these challenges affect different regions around the world? How are they addressed? How can states improve their collective response to hybrid threats?
To bring more young voices to the heart of high-level policy debates, this “Over to Youth” webinar is dedicated to multilateral responses to hybrid threats. The event will bring together thought leaders, policy makers and scholars from across the globe with CEPS Young Thinkers.
