EU Policies for Developing Capabilities to Counter Hybrid Threats

Abstract

"Combating hybrid threats is one of the main dimensions of the European Union’s policies expressed in the recently developed document, called “A Strategic Compass for Security and Defence”, which guides the development of the Union’s capabilities in the field of international security. The new document entails combining the tools developed since 2016 to combat hybrid threats in an “EU Hybrid Toolbox”, which will also include new tools and modes of action. While the primary responsibility for countering hostile hybrid activity will continue to lie with member states, the EU aims to have a greater capacity to support and coordinate in order to prevent and respond adequately to new threats. The EU’s approach focuses on non-military aspects and on the development of military capabilities to respond to hybrid crises, an aspect that implies increasing the importance of cooperation with NATO in this field."