PC4S043 - Terrorism, Hybrid Warfare And Conflict Analysis In Europe And Beyond 01 Sep 2021 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PC4S043
Module Title: Terrorism, Hybrid Warfare And Conflict Analysis In Europe And Beyond
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Policing and Criminology
Faculty Sub Group: Policing
Module Leader: Ethem Ilbiz, Helen Martin
Module Team: Christian Kaunert, Mike Edwards
First Intended Intake: SEP 2021 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100486 - policing
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2021
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

To facilitate the critical understanding and exploration of conflict analysis and hybrid warfare in Europe and beyond within the phenomenon of terrorism.

To develop, through analysis and systematic assessment, the phenomenon of conflict and hybrid warfare, its increasingly international character, and the transformation of the problem.

Content Summary

Hybrid warfare is a modern concept that combines traditional military tactics with non-traditional methods, exploiting various vulnerabilities in the target's society. Two countries' theories of hybrid warfare are explored:

Chinese Theories (1990s-present day): Analyzing China's approach to hybrid warfare over time.

Russian Theories under Vladimir Putin (2000-present day): Investigating Russia's hybrid warfare strategies under Putin's leadership.

Campaign Types: Examining specific tactics used in hybrid warfare, including:

Social Psychological War

Information Warfare

Influence Operations

Analyzing critical infrastructure pre-positioning and attacks in Western countries, illustrating how hybrid warfare can have real-world consequences.

Cyber Warfare and Social Engineering: Investigating the role of hackers, hacking groups, and social engineering in cyber conflicts.

Cybercriminals and State Actors: Exploring the involvement of cybercriminals and states in 'Dark Net' markets, organized crime, ransomware attacks, and the use of proxy actors in cyber conflicts.

From Political Spin to 'Fake News': Examining how misinformation campaigns and the spread of 'Fake News' impact conflicts.

Role of Social Media and Technology Companies: Analyzing the enabling role of social media and technology companies in hybrid warfare strategies.

International Law and the Rule of Law: Discussing the development of norms through international law to address hybrid warfare challenges.

EU and NATO's Approach: Understanding how the EU and NATO perceive and prepare for hybrid warfare threats.

Election Interference: Investigating how hybrid warfare influences and interferes with elections in different regions.

States as Attackers and Defenders: Exploring how states can act as both attackers and defenders in hybrid warfare scenarios.

EU and Western Responses: Analyzing the measures and strategies adopted by the EU and Western nations to counter hybrid warfare.

By thoroughly examining conflict analysis and hybrid warfare, this module equips learners with the essential knowledge to comprehend and address contemporary threats and conflicts effectively.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 10
Seminar 10
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 96
Active/Simulation Based 4
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically examine current frameworks of conflict analysis and hybrid warfare in terrorism.
LO2 Compare and critically distinguish between differing forms of conflict and hybrid warfare and construct arguments which reflect a critical understanding of the topic.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 Report demonstrating critical understanding of conflict analysis and hybrid warfare in terrorism. 0 4500 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 1

Reading List

Galeotti Mark. 2019. Russian Political War : Moving Beyond the Hybrid. Abingdon Oxon: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429443442.

Qiao Liang and Xiangsui Wang. 2020. Unrestricted Warfare. Naples Italy: Albatross.

Hoffman, Frank G.. “Hybrid Warfare and Challenges.” (2009).

Najz?er Brin. 2022. The Hybrid Age : International Security in the Era of Hybrid Warfare. London: I.B. Taurus

Thiele Ralph and Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden. 2022. Hybrid Warfare Future and Technologies 1St edition 2022 ed. Wiesbaden: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden GmbH Springer VS

DeBenedictis Kent. 2022. Russian 'Hybrid Warfare' and the Annexation of Crimea : The Modern Application of Soviet Political Warfare. London UK: I.B. Tauris Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Arutunyan Anna. 2023. Hybrid Warriors : Proxies Freelancers and Moscow's Struggle for Ukraine. GB: Hurst

Zandee Dick Sico van der Meer and Adája Stoetman. 2021. Countering Hybrid Threats : Steps for Improving Eu-Nato Cooperation. The Hague: Clingendael Institute. https://www.clingendael.org/pub/2021/countering-hybrid-threats/.

Fiott Daniel Roderick Parkes and Institute for Security Studies (Paris France). 2019. Protecting Europe : The Eu's Response to Hybrid Threats. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. https://doi.org/10.2815/712409.

FRIDMAN OFER. 2022. Russian 'Hybrid Warfare' : Resurgence and Politicisation. C HURST & CO PUB LTD.