Countermeasures for Hybrid Threats: The Experience of the European Union and Its Member States

Abstract

The methods and tools used by the European Union to counter hybrid threats are identified: from the fight against terrorism to measures aimed at combating economic competitors and political opponents (mainly, to squeeze Russia and China out of European markets). It is concluded that it is not by chance that neither EU institutions nor the research community have worked out a comprehensive definition of operations to combat hybrid threats. A broad understanding of hybrid threats as practically any (depending on the political situation) actions of the opponent serves to justify the application of any counteraction tool. In the fight against global threats such as terrorism, cybercrime, and the spread of false medical data, the EU takes a systemic approach, which makes it possible to assess the level and degree of the convergence of threats to critical infrastructure and the infosphere, as well as the possibilities of counteraction. At the same time, attempts to use economic, legislative, political, and informational tools to achieve one-sided economic, political, and military advantages do not reduce the degree of tension in the EU’s relations with Russia, China, and some other countries, only increasing the number and strength of hybrid threats. This reduces the EU’s ability to achieve strategic autonomy.

Integrated security strategies in the context of hybrid threats in the Slovak Republic

“…Relevant proof of the importance of coordinating the operational work of law enforcement agencies within the European Union as well as in third countries is the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT), which brings together specialistslaw enforcement agencies, courts, European Union agencies and otherswho together build safe countries and a safe Europe (Bazarkina 2022). It is crucial to be aware that all dangerous types of criminality have exceptionally strong defence mechanisms, which, on the one hand, make it difficult to detect illegal criminal activity and, on the other hand, means law enforcement agencies and courts are faced with a need for evidence, which they must subsequently overcome when proving criminal activity (Szabová and Vrtíková 2022).…”

The concepts and laws applicable to hybrid threats, with a special focus on Europe

“…They are designed to be difficult to detect or attribute. These threats target critical vulnerabilities and seek to create confusion and hinder swift and effective decision-making" 3 (Galinek et al, 2019;Bazarkina, 2022). Nonetheless, rather than issuing a perfect definition of hybrid threats, which in fact does not exist because they vary in each case, both NATO and the EU advocate for the characterisation of such threats and provision of a list of their more general characteristics.…”