Low-level agents are a key part of hybrid warfare — a mix of military, political, economic, and cyber tactics designed to blur the line between war and peace.
In mid-October, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a "new comprehensive action plan" to counter hybrid threats, to be reviewed by the National Security Council.
Before defences can be put in place, it's crucial to define which actions count as hybrid warfare.
Austrian disinformation analyst Dietmar Pichler explained incidents such as fires, explosions, accidents, attacks, pro-Russian events, or public graffiti should increasingly be assessed for links to hybrid operations.
He warned that delays can make the response harder. "If authorities don’t communicate clearly – for example, explaining that measures are defensive, not offensive – it can cause major problems i
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