Leiden University Student Repository

Doorn, Maxim Adriaan (2019)

Hybrid War and Peace, Or Death by a Thousand Cuts

Master thesis | International Relations (MA)

The concept of hybrid warfare, regarding how ‘the West’ perceives Russia to employ it, is the core subject of this thesis, taking into account both the advantages and disadvantages of using such a term, explaining its specific elements when comparing it to other types of warfare, and looking into the politicisation of the term. Since many authors are of the opinion that hybrid warfare currently lacks a general theory which properly distinguishes it from other types of warfare, and that could serve to frame it in a meaningful manner, this thesis contributes to a critical understanding of the current security environment with regards to perceived Russian hybrid threats. As the concept of hybrid warfare has grown up to the extent where it can encompass virtually anything relating to conflict, this thesis emphasizes the cyber domain, alongside (mis)information operations as these can be considered as some of the most unconventional concepts in contemporary warfare.

Hybrid War

Russia

Cyber Warfare

Grey Zone

Gerasimov

Author

Doorn, Maxim Adriaan

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

Global Conflict in the Modern Era

Supervisors

Milevski, Lucas

ECTS Credits

15

Language

en