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Military Aspects of Countering Hybrid Warfare: Experiences, Lessons, Best Practices

From 2 to 4 October 2019, a NATO STO multi-national Exploratory Team met to discuss options to analyse the military aspects of hybrid warfare. The team, led by Canada, brought together experts from Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, NATO Special Operations Headquarters, United Kingdom’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Royal Danish Defence College, Latvian Defence Sciences Research Centre, Finish National Defence University, Turkish Aerospace Industries, Croatian Hybrid Warfare Research Institute, Mission of Ukraine to NATO and Defence Research and Development Canada.

The occupation of Crimea and the war in Eastern Ukraine has seen Russia apply a mix of traditional and novel means to further its policy goals. Commonly known as hybrid warfare, these methods have created specific  challenges  for Ukraine  and  NATO  more  broadly. As a whole, Ukraine’s experience in countering Russian aggression remains unique. However, many of the specific actions taken by Russia against Ukraine exhibit similarity to Russian activities against other countries. Nonetheless,  military  actions  create  both  military and non-military effects and non-military actions can have both non-military and military effects. The proposed STO research activity would contribute to the professional development and training of military and civilian planners, and analysts at the operational and strategic. levels.  Achievements  are  contingent  upon  the  level  of  commitment  by  participating  nations to provide information as well as resources, but could be exploited by NATO and Partner Nations, the NATO Defence Education Enhancement Programme, the NATO  Special  Operations  School,  the  George  C.  Marshall  Center and the NATO  School  in  Oberammergau  counter-hybrid  threat  education  and  concept  development programs, and be incorporated  into  the  training  of  military  specialists  at  the  Armed  Forces  of Ukraine’s higher military education institutions

At its Fall 2019 meeting, the NATO STO System Analysis and Studies (SAS) Panel - NATO STO’s expert analytical advice panel – will review the proposal and make an inventory which NATO Nations and Organizations are willing to commit to this research. Please contact the SAS Panel Executive if you want more information on the activity.

Published by SAS