Proven Hybrid Warfare By Russia Hits A Top European Nerve

Many in Europe believe in restrictions on Russian diplomats’ ability to move around the European Union like a European does. The Czech proposal has gained considerable support, but has also met with opposition from nations such as Germany. While diplomacy and intra EU consultation takes place, can we realistically defend ourselves from Russian aggression in this changing threat landscape?

What we don’t know can always hurt us. In hybrid warfare, the two most common emotions manipulated are fear and anger. Our own ignorance about this “below the threshold of war” strategy is a material deficit we must overcome. We only know a part of the picture, which in any digital subversion process is a social lever for exploitation.

Deception is a key feature from the outset of all good cons. This Russian-led campaign has been meticulous in its reconnaissance, design, and planning stages. It speaks to real expertise developed through knowledge sharing and experimentation.

Hostile Expansion, America First, Then Europe.

Elon Musk’s subversion orientated rants about European nations speak to complicity with Russia, and others driving these attacks on European democracies. When the United States was the primary target during Presidents Obama and Biden’s terms, digital subversion over social media caught the United States administration in a blind spot; as to the real threat looming.

From Terror to Valor: Echoes and Shadows, available at your favorite digital bookstore 

The growing social media influence by an instant group of ‘far-right’ followers swooning over Donald Trump grew to shocking proportions. This loose alliance of religious right, ultra nationalist, KKK styled racists, fascist styled authoritarians, successionists, and more aligned fringe groups grew in confidence, coordination, and skill.

What started as newsletters and pamphlets in the physical world eventually connected with the rise of social media in the digital world. It was not long before their influence spread, and their communal hate fueled anti-government rhetoric and anti-American sentiment under the banner of “Making America Great Again”.

It amassed to a size where it moved to the next stage in the process by jumping from the keyboard to the street. Caught effectively unaware was the US Administration. They became a back footing facilitator to an apparent American backlash to common values and cultural norms. Russian-led influence went undetected for too long, as did the true nature of this threat.

European Is Now A Priority

What went wrong lies in education, the facilitation of big business in politics, and how much influence government actually had. Technology released to the public is currently developing at a rate which far exceeds societal understanding of it. This leaves the United States (and European nations) at a manifest disadvantage to bad-actors looking to weaponize it.

AI is the latest talking point to rise to prominence for media commentators. The British government has warned that Russia will use AI for critical infrastructure attacks on their nation, and others in Europe who support Ukraine’s defence of their homeland.

The Czech proposal to limit the movement of Russian embassy staff within the EU is gaining in popularity among EU nations, because of this rising (trans)national security threat. This does not shock Russia, as they literally saw it coming. Cybercrime (in this context) and digital subversion all fit into a wider and equally orchestrated program, called hybrid warfare strategy.

Europe As One Is Now A Priority

As the UK gets on board with the Czech proposal given her national security interests, London will seek to use its good relations with Berlin to bring Germany onside. The requirement for restricting the Russian diplomat’s ability to move around the European Union is now an utter necessity.

Russia’s lies are indeed convincing. Yet, at this stage, not even Berlin can overlook the mountain of evidence that puts Europe in the crosshairs of a malicious shadow alliance, with Russia as its frontman.

From meddling in elections in Georgia, to threats of nuclear holocaust in Ukraine, Russia’s shadow war rages. It only does so for as long as we Europeans act independently of each other to this transnational threat.

Former US President George W. Bush was the latest in a long line of US political figures to quote from John Dickinson’s “Liberty Song”, published in 1768. After the terror attacks of 9/11, he said “United We Stand, Divided We Fall”. This time, it’s Europe’s turn to choose, and I feel in our heart of hearts, we have but one option.

About the Author

John is a versatile author known for his gripping fiction narratives in the thriller, action, and suspense genres. With a background as a journalist since 2016, and expertise in cloud technologies as an engineer; John brings a unique blend of storytelling prowess and technical acumen to his work.