Hybrid Warfare from the Perspective of Classical Military Theories

Abstract

Hybrid warfare, a complex and evolving military strategy, combines conventional and unconventional tactics, encompassing elements like cyber operations, economic coercion, information warfare and the leveraging of non-state actors. While often perceived as a novel development in response to contemporary geopolitical challenges, this study argues that hybrid warfare has deep historical roots, traceable to classical military thought. This paper explores this historical continuity by analysing the key contributions of Sun Tzu, Emperor Maurice, strategic and ethical teachings within the Quran and Vegetius, demonstrating the enduring relevance of their insights to understanding contemporary hybrid conflict. These classical theorists, across different eras and cultures, consistently emphasised principles like deception, psychological manipulation, the integration of diverse tactics, unconventional approaches to warfare and the critical importance of adaptability, all of which are hallmarks of modern hybrid strategies. The paper also acknowledges and addresses the ongoing debate surrounding the significance and novelty of hybrid warfare.