A Framework for Cross-Domain Strategies Against Hybrid Threats

The Netherlands, together with likewise partners in its network of alliances, requires a strategic posture in an era of hybrid conflict. A strategic posture refers to the set of dominant strategies that make up a state’s security policy to achieve a set of objectives. It is guided by an overarching purpose and objectives (ends) and offers general guidelines as to how to act and react (ways), thus providing guidance for the development of capabilities (means). In the case of hybrid threats, a strategic posture can:
• assist in defining and preparing the pre-requisites for counter hybrid action in terms of capabilities, legal and doctrinal frameworks, and mandate allocation;
• be instrumental in creating unity of action and synergy between counter hybrid measures by tying them together in one coherent whole;
• help in communicating to opponents and allies what are considered to be acceptable forms of hybrid behavior. It can thereby be instrumental in the development of international norms that limit hybrid threat behavior; and
• thus ultimately shape the cost calculus of an adversary which in turn can prompt changes in adversarial behavior. This report serves as a background document to prepare a hybrid conflict game organised in the winter of 2020 by TNO in collaboration with HCSS to gain a better understanding of how cross domain strategies can help in countering hybrid threats. It presents a strategic framework that describes and explains relationships between strategies and counter-strategies in dealing with hybrid threats; and offers a number of considerations to select those dominant strategies that are to be part of the Dutch strategic posture. It does so in the understanding that a strategic posture is dynamic in nature because the evolving character of challenges requires adaptiveness.