Hybrid Warfare
Hybrid Warfare
Hybrid Warfare
Abstract
Hybrid warfare is neither a novel idea nor a new phenomenon. It has been evolving for
ages, yet its manifestation in the contemporary era has intensified. Taking advantage of
politico-ethnic fault lines, socio-religious vulnerabilities, and identity conflicts, hybrid
warfare advocates using all means available including regular or irregular and
conventional or unconventional ways of warfare to subdue the will of an adversary. An
externally motivated and supported threat requires essential measures in the foreign
policy domain to thwart and foil it outside the borders. Therefore, this paper deals with
the conceptual aspects of hybrid warfare and highlights the contours of the hybrid threat
currently confronting Pakistan. It navigates through the challenges for foreign policy
formulation and implementation in a hybrid warfare environment and identifies
loopholes and grey areas while recommending tangible measures.
Introduction
*Imtiaz Hussain Naz is a PhD Scholar at the Department of Political Science, University of Balochistan, Quetta.
Change in desired end state is apparent from the vertical explanation of the
change of objectives. Annihilation to attrition and attrition of will to affecting
implosion from within is the journey of evolution of warfare. The objective set forth
dictates the use of force accordingly. From regular armies to alliances and then to the
use of non-state actors has been brought in by hybrid warfare. With the change in
domains, the centre of gravity got shifted from the physical domain of the battlefield
to other domains depending upon the nature and character of conflict. At times,
centres of gravity appear to be non-existent and non-recognizable, especially in the
case of supra combinations and networks. In hybrid warfare, force as a concept
expands to include almost everything, kinetic or non-kinetic, military or civil, and
experienced or inexperienced. The skilful use of non-violent combinations can defeat a
well-equipped military adversary.
Figure 1.2 depicts the ways both in kinetic and non-kinetic domains with low
to high intensity in each domain of conflict. These ways at times overlap, complement
and strengthened outcomes of each other. Covering the entire landscape of regular
and irregular use of force, limited or no use of force, and physical or virtual space,
these ways create a complex, multi-faceted and dynamic threat matrix for the target
state. Pakistan, being a prime target of hybrid warfare, will be discussed in the latter
part of the paper. Figure 1.2 also helps in explaining the case of Pakistan.
With What (Q3) suggests means that can be used by proponents of hybrid
warfare, such as diplomatic clout, diaspora, international NGOs, financial institutions,
non-state actors, domestic and international media, and the latest disruptive
technologies. Where (Q4) points to the space or battlefield where war must take place.
Hybrid warfare exploits all available spaces, including open battlefields as well as
virtual fields. It does not depend upon physical space only. Today, virtual space,
psycho-social space, and cognitive domains are also engaged. When (Q5) is important
as it contributes towards the notion of victory. Hybrid warfare is more effective and
of the designated aims, as the world has observed in 1948, 1965, 1971, and 1999. While
the setback to the Indian illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir is to assess, India’s
reversal strategy, abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A along with sub-conventional
activities, is notable.8 India’s hegemonic designs are relevant for all regional countries,
including Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan to varying degrees.
In hybrid warfare, a state wages war in several ways like political subversion,
employing proxies, coercive deterrence, and intervention.13 India has tried to create
political subversion in Pakistan using various instruments. On the diplomatic front,
India has declared a policy to isolate Pakistan at the international level. In 2016, Indian
Prime Minister, Narinder Modi, stated that India will work to isolate Pakistan
internationally,14 thus, mounted a global campaign to isolate Pakistan diplomatically.
In the Houston rally, Modi passed war-mongering statements against Pakistan15 in the
presence of the US President that reflects US diplomatic backing to India. 16 The US
also established a counter-terrorism centre in India intending to train Indian forces
personnel.17 Similarly, abrogation of Article 370 and subjugation of innocent Kashmiris
by Indian security forces are openly defended by its allies. A senior US Congressman
openly stated that “India is our important ally and we support its position on
Kashmir.”18 Moreover, Israel provides unconditional support and sustenance to India
in many ways.19 India, backed by right-wing Europeans, has churned out propaganda
against Pakistan and China for decades.20 India has been portraying Pakistan as a
hotbed of terrorism and militancy and its mainstream and social media frequently
report fake news against Pakistan; for example, in October 2020, footage of a blast due
to gas leakage was falsely projected as a civil war in Pakistan. 21 However, EU
DisinfoLab uncovered a massive disinformation campaign launched by India against
Pakistan.22
Concerning CPEC, India has put all its efforts into disrupting this economic
corridor by establishing a three-dimensional wing within RAW to destabilize Pakistan
politically, socially, and economically.23 India is the frontline architect of assaulting the
Chinese Belt and Road initiative24 by spreading fake information through media to
create a trust deficit between the Pakistan government and masses. BJP-led
government, since day one, has been pursuing irrational and aggressive policies
against Pakistan. Leaving no stone unturned, the Indian government focuses on
optimizing and exploiting every opportunity that can be made available or created in
the international political system. Endeavours to disparage Pakistan’s image through
FATF is a case in point. Breaching the Line of Control (LoC) is a frequent practice by
India to shape up its hostile domestic environment. Fake claims of surgical strikes in
Pakistan are in the same pursuit. India has been using neighbouring Afghanistan to
launch terrorist attacks in Pakistan through TTP. Further, it has established closer
economic ties with Iran and the Arab world, particularly the oil-rich UAE, all to
undermine the image and position of Pakistan.
Pakistan and India are not only rivals but also holding the status of nuclear
power. In this regard, the continuous effort of India to portray the nuclear assets of
Pakistan as a threat to international peace and security is alarming. 25 Despite knowing
that Pakistan's nuclear program is only for strategic stability in the region, India
projects that nuclear-free Pakistan would be socially peaceful, economically strong,
and politically stable. For numerous times, India has launched a propaganda campaign
against Pakistan for sharing nuclear technology with other countries. Anti-Pakistan
elements and India are also active in cyber warfare against Pakistan. Last year, India
targeted the gadgets of Pakistan state officials, including military and civil services by
injecting spy software.26
also a need to arrange multi-domain targeted actions in line with national objectives.
With rapid developments in different fields, the strategic direction must be aligned
and avoid prescriptive measures across time and space. Dogmatism is suicidal in
today’s world; therefore, environmental context drives the choices in a hybrid warfare
environment. A hybrid threat is not diffusible as a system at once; it is necessary to
dislocate it by targeting the unity of different echelons responsible for hybrid
onslaught. Pakistan must identify such pivots where focused attention is required.
Diplomatic pressures, economic coercion, and terrorism besides material and financial
support are the main aspects requiring such focus.
international levels. Moreover, it will assist the country in launching a robust cyber
security campaign to counter cyber threats posed by adversaries, especially India.
Although Pakistan’s new cybersecurity policy includes an institutional framework for a
secure cyber ecosystem with emergency response teams, the experts at MoFA should
be well conversant with the latest litigations on cyber security issues emerging in a
hybrid warfare environment. Pakistan should also use digital mediums to counter
India’s negative propaganda and fake news campaigns while creating international
sound bites on all issues, including the Indian illegal occupation of Jammu and
Kashmir and Saffron terrorism.
Conclusion
Hybrid warfare is a complex and dynamic reality demanding a comprehensive
response to the threats in all domains, especially at the external level. Although the
realization has felt late, it is, however, not too late. Pakistan needs to shear away the
excess baggage of the past along with the old mindset. The vacuous foreign policy
based on experience will not prove fruitful in a hybrid warfare environment until
policymakers understand the hybrid threats, followed by necessary training on the
subject. Striking balance between opportunities and problems with careful
deliberation and composite planning will render a smooth sail in dealing with the
challenges of today's complex environment.
References
1 General Qamar Javed Bajwa. 2019. “Note from Patron in Chief.” Pakistan Army Green Book: 1.
2 Lt Gen (R) Naeem Khalid Lodhi. “Hybrid War and Its Impact on Pakistani Society.” Accessed
http://www.cpsd.org.pk/monograph-11.php.
3 Zafar Nawaz Jaspal. 2020. “Pakistan’s National Security: Hybrid Warfare Challenges and Countermeasures.”
Accessed https://cati.nwupl.edu.cn/bgpl/ndbg/71279.htm.
4 Donald J. Reed. 2008. “Beyond the War on Terror: Into the Fifth Generation of War and Conflict.” Studies in
Conflict and Terrorism: 684–722.
5 Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui. 1999. Unrestricted Warfare. Beijing: PLA Literature and Arts Pub House.
6 Donald J. Reed. 2008. “Beyond the War on Terror: Into the Fifth Generation of War and Conflict.” Studies in
Conflict and Terrorism 31 (8): 684–722.
7 Muhammad Amir Khan. 2015. “The Fifth Generation Warfare.” Pakistan Army Green Book: 161.
8 Justice (R) Fakhar-un-Nisa Khokhar. 2019. “Abrogation of Article 370 and 35A by India.” The News International,
September 6. Accessed https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/523121-abrogation-of-article-370-and-35a-by-india.
9 “Who is Kulbhushan Jadhav?” Dawn, April 10, 2017. Accessed https://www.dawn.com/news/1326117.
10 “Is RAW behind sectarian violence in Karachi? Senior police officer presents evidence,” Global Village Space,
November 18, 2020. Accessed https://www.globalvillagespace.com/raw-sectarian-violence/.
11 Mir Sherbaz Khetran. 2017. “Indian Interference in Balochistan.” Strategic Studies 37 (3): 112-125.
12 Baqir Sajjad Syed. 2019. “Foreign Spy Agencies Fund PTM.” Dawn, April 30. Accessed
https://www.dawn.com/news/1479321.
13 Maaz Nisar. “5 GW and Hybrid Warfare: Its Implications and Response Options.” Accessed https://bdex.eb.
mil.br/jspui/bitstream/123456789/2827/1/MO%200023%20-%20MAAZ.pdf.
14 “Modi says India will work to 'isolate' Pakistan internationally.” Dawn, September 24, 2016. Accessed
https://www.dawn. com/news/1285839.
15 Niharika Sharma. 2019. “Trump beside Him, Modi Says It Loud and Clear without Saying It: Behave Yourself,
Pakistan.” Quartz India, September 23. Accessed https://qz.com/india/1713709/howdy-modi-roasts-pakistan-in-
trumps-presence-at-houston/.
16 Ibid.
17 Muhammad Saleh Zaafir. 2020. “US to Set Up Counter-Terrorism Centre in India.” The News, February 24.
Accessed https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/618909-us-to-set-up-counter-terrorism-centre-in-india.
18 “Senior US Congressman backs India on Kashmir.” The Economic Times, December 18, 2019. Accessed
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/senior-us-congressman-backs-india-on-kashmir/articles
how/72861847.cms.
19 “Israel Offers Unconditional Help to India to Defend Itself, Especially Against Terror: Envoy.” The Economic Times,
February 2019. Accessed https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/israel-offers-unconditional-help-to-
india-to-defend-itself-especially-against-terror-envoy/articleshow/68065298.cms?from=mdr.
20 “Indian Company Backed by Right-Wing European Forces has Churned Out Propaganda Against Pakistan and
China For 15 Years.” Global Times, December 17, 2020. Accessed https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1210181.shtml.
21 Abid Hussain. 2020. “India Buzzes with Fake News of 'Civil War' in Pakistan.” BBC News, October 22. Accessed
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-54649302.
22 Hammad Sarfraz. 2020. “EU Watchdog Uncovers Massive Indian Disinformation Campaign Against Pakistan.” The
Express Tribune, December 10. Accessed https://tribune.com.pk/story/2275389/eu-watchdog-uncovers-massive-
indian-disinformation-campaign-against-pakistan.
23 “RAW Set Up Cell to Sabotage CPEC.” The Express Tribune, April 14, 2016. Accessed https://tribune.com.pk/
story/1084291/in-camera-briefing-raw-set-up-cell-to-sabotage-cpec.
24 Adnan Aamir. 2020. “Pakistan Accuses India of Masterminding Belt and Road Attacks.” Nikkei Asia, November 15.
Accessed https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Belt-and-Road/Pakistan-accuses-India-of-masterminding-Belt-and-
Road-attacks.
25 Malik Qasim Mustafa. 2017. “Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons Programme: Criticism, Propaganda and Response.”
Strategic Studies 37(4): 39-64.
26 Naveed Siddiqui. 2020. “Indian Cyber-Attack Targeting Gadgets of Govt Officials, Military Personnel Identified:
ISPR.” Dawn, August 12. Accessed https://www.dawn.com/news/1574034.
27 Basma Khalil. 2020. “India’s Active Hybrid War against Pakistan.” Accessed http://southasiajournal.net/indias-
active-hybrid-war-against-pakistan/.
28 Shamshad Ahmed Khan. 2018. “Not Many Choices for Pakistan’s Foreign Policy.” Islamabad Policy Institute
Insight. Accessed https://ipipk.org/not-many-choices-for-pakistans-foreign-policy/.
29 Naila Barlas. 2020. “Foreign Affairs and Pakistan’s Policy Options.” The Nation, June 6. Accessed
https://nation.com.pk/06-Jun-2020/foreign-affairs-and-pakistan-s-policy-options.
30 Ibid.
31 Hassan Aslam Shad. 2020. “Pakistan’s Future Facing Lawfare Strategy.” Global Village Space, December 28.
Accessedt https://www.globalvillagespace.com/pakistans-future-facing-lawfare-strategy/.