Hybrid Threats in the North Atlantic

Challenges regarding hybrid threats in the North Atlantic have been analysed in a new policy paper published by the Centre for Military Studies at the University of Copenhagen in cooperation with the University of Greenland and the University of the Faroe Islands. 

The policy paper explores how the changing international security situation gives rise to hybrid threats and associated security and defence governance challenges in the North Atlantic.  

The paper analyses seven hybrid threats in the North Atlantic, including cyber security, economic security, food security, influence campaigns, telecommunication infrastructure, fisheries, and foreign policy. 

Authority gaps

The analysis shows that hybrid threats thrive on authority gaps, responsibility fragmentation, and jurisdictional ambiguities between the consistuent parts of the Kingdom of Denmark. The paper recommends that the Kingdom should focus on enhancing governance structures to address the loopholes that hybrid threats can exploit.

The analysis demonstrates how it is becoming increasingly difficult to separate security and defence issues from other areas, e.g. trade, industry, energy and communications. It recommends that the Kingdom of Denmark should identify potential grey zone areas and develop framework agreements to resolve issues related to decision-making processes, responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms. 

Inclusive governance

Another key insight from the analysis is that the Kingdom of Denmark can develop more technically effective and socially sustainable resiliance in the North Atlantic context by openly acknowledging challenges, engaging local communities, and building inclusive governance mechanisms.  

The policy paper has been prepared with financial support from the Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy research programme - FASDiNA, administered by Research Council Faroe Islands.  

The editor of the policy paper is Tobias Liebetrau, Researcher at the Centre for Military Studies. Other authors are Alexander Behrndtz, André K. Jakobsson, Jeppe T. Jacobsen, Laura Koksch, Merete Lindstrøm, Mette S. Abildgaard, Rasmus L. Nielsen and Robert Imre. Robert Imre is Associate Professor at the Faculty of History and Social Sciences of the University of the Faroe Islands. 

The policy paper on Hybrid Threats in the North Atlantic can be read here.