Hybrid Wars in the 21st Century

Abstract

Today it would be difficult to define peace, as we witness that wars have many forms and aspects different from armed conflicts. Many modern wars, even if their actors do not want to call them that, are conflicts at other, even invisible or not totally discovered spheres (cyberspace, outer space, trade markets, etc.) with sophisticated, nonviolent (at classic meaning) methods. Hybrid war is from sociological, psychological, and security aspects, a totally different and complex form of violence and battle. The Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2014 is seen as a tipping point for more attention on hybrid wars and defense. Understanding, good concept of hybrid wars, and prepared defense explained how some of most powerful armies in the world loosed their battles against much weaker enemies. Still, distraction of hybrid threats requires deep understanding of mass and personal psychology, media, and culture.