Germany in the Era of Hybrid Warfare: Maintaining Security, Defending Democracy.

Germany’s security situation has changed over the last years. Hybrid attacks are on the rise, primarily driven by Russia. Operating within political and legal grey zones, these operations are often difficult to detect and attribute. They encompass espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns, which were recently deployed during elections, including the 2025 election to the German Parliament.

To counter this new threat landscape, a reform of the security architecture is required – such as the one currently being initiated by the Federal Government – granting expanded powers to security and intelligence agencies, alongside a strengthening of civil protection. In addition to functional roles, the federal division of responsibilities (between cities, provinces (Länder) and the federal level) must also be reassessed. Efficiently aligned and coordinated, decentralized structures can enhance resilience against, for instance, sabotage through 'functional redundancy,' ensuring that such disruptions only compromise smaller, isolated units.

Furthermore, democratic resilience is a key factor in withstanding hybrid warfare. Populism and polarizing discourses provide entry points for information manipulation aimed at destabilization, which typically targets societal triggers. Fostering trust within society – and, above all, reinforcing citizens' confidence in the state and its capacity to act – thus becomes a cornerstone of national security.

In the era of hybrid warfare, Germany cannot limit itself to strengthening its defensive capabilities. In conjunction with its partners in the European Union and NATO, it must develop sophisticated instruments and the political will to respond to hybrid attacks more offensively than before, thereby establishing credible deterrence. Criminal law enforcement and sanctions can often disrupt the infrastructure required for certain hybrid attacks, even if the ultimate instigator cannot be identified beyond doubt.

Ultimately, security must be understood as an interconnected, whole-of-society task. Raising awareness and mobilizing efforts are necessary across all levels: among citizens, businesses, civil society organizations, and educational institutions. However, this essential shift in the public understanding of security and the adaptation of state structures must not jeopardize the democratic values we intend to defend – such as freedom, plurality, and the rule of law.

Read the entire Monitor: ‘Deutschland im hybriden Krieg: Sicherheit wahren, Demokratie schützen!’ here. Please note, to date this paper is only available in German.