Design: Nebula Research Society
In the present world, are countries using information, technology and economics more than tanks and missiles as instruments of war? Or, in the age of hybrid warfare, Is conventional warfare losing its importance?
From ancient battles fought with swords and spears to modern conflicts involving cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns, warfare has continually evolved alongside human civilization. Throughout history, wars have reshaped borders, determined the rise and fall of nations, and altered the course of global politics. Today, a new form of conflict has emerged: hybrid warfare, which blends conventional military power with cyber, economic, informational, and technological tools to influence and weaken adversaries.
When Teija Tiilikainen, Director of the European Centre of Excellence, was asked to define hybrid warfare, she said: attacking highly important infrastructure by using information flows for one's own interests. These threats are so blurred, invisible, and undefined that it is extremely complex and difficult for any country to counter such threats.
Hybrid Warfare can mainly be discussed through five domains:
Cyber Domain: Attacking a country's internet and computer networks and locking down the system.
Information and Psychological Domain: Using and controlling public opinion and beliefs as a weapon.
Drone Domain: Carrying out direct strikes and maintaining continuous surveillance through drones, but at a very low cost.
Electromagnetic Domain: Completely disabling signals and communication systems.
Economic Domain: Completely destroying a country's economic condition and at the same time encouraging extremist groups within the country.
Case Study
Russia–Ukraine War: The Russia–Ukraine war has presented a real picture of hybrid warfare, which continues day after day and affects both military and civilian systems. A recent example of this is Ukraine’s expanded long-range drone campaign in 2026, which was conducted targeting Russia’s logistics supply centers, energy assets, and command nodes deep behind the frontline battlefield. In April 2026, Ukrainian forces carried out more than 160 medium-range (120–150 km) strikes on supply depots, drone control centers, and command posts in order to weaken Russia’s logistics supply and operational depth.
Iran–Israel War: February, 2026: According to open-source intelligence information, within 24 hours of the first U.S.-Israeli attack, more than 1,100 commercial ships in the waters of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Iran reported failures in determining their position. The ships' GPS systems identified the vessels as being located at airports, nuclear facilities, and inland locations, which was a clear sign of active spoofing. A total of 1,735 such interference incidents were documented, affecting 655 vessels, and the number of daily incidents nearly doubled.
Its impact spread in all directions: fuel prices soared, insurance rates for shipping in the Gulf region increased, and several major transportation companies changed their routes, which increased both time and costs in global supply chains.
In response to the attack on Iran by the United States and Israel on February 28, 2026, Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting U.S. embassies, military installations, and oil infrastructure across the Middle East, including vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran hoped that this large-scale retaliatory attack would impose costs on its opponents and create pressure for mediation.
China–Taiwan War: Taiwan's National Security Bureau stated that many cyberattacks were closely coordinated with China's military activities around Taiwan. In 2025, China conducted 40 “joint combat readiness patrols” near the island by deploying aircraft and naval vessels, and cyberattacks intensified on 23 of those occasions. “This type of trend indicates a deliberate effort by China to significantly damage Taiwan’s critical infrastructure and disrupt or paralyze Taiwan’s governmental and social activities,” the bureau said.
The sectors most essential to public safety and economic stability were the most heavily targeted. Attacks on energy systems, emergency rescue services, and hospitals increased most sharply compared to the previous year, raising concerns about potential real-world disruption.
What are the threats to global security from Hybrid Warfare?
Hybrid warfare creates a significant threat to global security because it combines military and non-military means, as well as covert and overt methods, including disinformation, cyberattacks, economic pressure, the deployment of irregular armed groups, and the use of regular forces. Hybrid methods are used to blur the lines between war and peace and attempt to sow doubt in the minds of target populations. They aim to destabilize and undermine societies.
The world faces threats and challenges from both state and non-state actors who use hybrid activities to target political institutions, influence public opinion, and undermine the security of citizens. Hybrid methods of warfare—such as propaganda, deception, sabotage, and other non-military tactics—have long been used to destabilize adversaries.
Is Conventional Warfare Losing Its Importance in the Age of Hybrid Warfare?
War is never desirable, whether it is hybrid warfare or conventional warfare. However, in the present context, conventional warfare will not disappear; rather, hybrid warfare is adding a new dimension to it, making it capable of destroying an enemy’s capabilities in an even more devastating manner. Every country should remain constantly prepared to face any form of warfare, whether conventional or hybrid.
Although smaller states may not be able to compete effectively with major powers in conventional warfare, they may attempt to use hybrid warfare to weaken or destroy an adversary’s capabilities, security, economy, and technological sector. In this way, they may seek to create a balance of power in world politics.