Hybrid Warfare and the NATO Response: Promoting Economic Independence, Defending Cyberspace, and Combatting Disinformation

Abstract

As Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its second year, Russia is increasingly targeting NATO member states with cyberattacks, coordinated disinformation campaigns, attempts at economic coercion, and espionage operations. These tools of hybrid warfare aim to degrade allied capabilities, undermine social unity, and erode support for Ukraine. Critical energy, transportation, and information infrastructure are especially vulnerable. This task force examined fifteen countries as case studies to better understand the threats NATO is facing to detail how member states are responding, and to propose a series of policy recommendations designed to harden allied capabilities. Outside of NATO, this task force also examined Moldova, which is increasingly threatened both by Russian hybrid warfare and Russia’s existing presence in Transnistria.