The speed, scale and intensity of hybrid threats have increased in recent years. They aim to destabilise and undermine societies. Hybrid methods are used to blur the lines between war and peace, and attempt to sow doubt in the minds of target populations. Hybrid threats combine military and non-military as well as covert and overt means, including disinformation, cyber attacks, economic pressure, deployment of irregular armed groups and use of regular forces.
The Alliance actively counters disinformation and propaganda – not with more propaganda, but with facts – online, on air and in print. NATO’s Joint Intelligence and Security Division has a hybrid analysis branch that helps improve situational awareness. NATO is strengthening its coordination with partners, including the European Union, in efforts to counter hybrid threats. These can be tailored to address specific situations. In July 2022, NATO Leaders endorsed comprehensive preventive and response options to counter hybrid threats. In July 2018, NATO Leaders agreed to set up counter-hybrid support teams, which provide tailored targeted assistance to Allies upon their request, in preparing against and responding to hybrid activities. Since 2016, the Alliance has publicly stated that hybrid actions against one or more Allies could lead to a decision to invoke Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. The Alliance has developed a strategy for its role in countering hybrid warfare to help address these threats. 
NATO is prepared to assist any Ally against hybrid threats as part of collective defence. 
NATO Allies have strengthened their national resilience, including against hybrid threats, and have improved their ability to understand the hybrid threat picture across the Alliance, particularly the sophisticated hybrid strategies used by the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China.
The primary responsibility to respond to hybrid threats or attacks rests with the targeted country.
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