The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC) and the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE) have jointly developed a conceptual model for characterizing Hybrid Threats accompanied by a framework for analysis.
The proposed conceptual model’s analytical framework is developed around the four following pillars:
- Actors (and their strategic objectives)
- Domains
- Tools
- Phases.
The aim of the proposed structure is to identify the way in which an actor can employ a series of tools to affect the targeted country to achieve a series of objectives. Emphasis is put on actors, both state and non-state actors. The rationale behind this choice is that by studying actors’ motives, doctrines, open-source intelligence, and literature, it is possible to provide pieces of evidence for their objectives and strategic culture. In turn, a deep understanding of actors’ objectives is an excellent proxy for forecasting potential future activities. The original aspect of this future-proof analytical framework is that it is not exclusively based on experience but takes into consideration the evolving nature of the threat.
You can find further information and download The Landscape of Hybrid Threats here.