The history of the development of "hybrid" actions from wars "under a false flag" to "smart power"

The object of the study is "hybrid confrontation", the subject of the study is the principles of its organization in relation to the new conditions of implementation: globalization and informatization of the modern world. The article analyzes the main components of "hybrid" actions and, based on the analysis of historical experience, it is concluded that these approaches have deep historical roots. We are not talking about the "classic" use of mercenaries, even in the form of private military companies, not about proxy conflicts, namely about "hybrid" actions when the customer and the purpose of attracting armed formations are hiding, and, most importantly, military actions are accompanied by economic confrontation and information and psychological operations. Prototypes of such actions, implemented in the form of proxy conflicts, as shown by historical analysis, can be found already in the wars of the XV–XVII centuries, but they really began to be conducted in recent years, with the unification of the principles of proxy warfare at the lower level and "offshore balancing" at the global level. Based on the analysis of the historical experience of warfare and armed conflicts, it is concluded that modern "hybrid" actions are a direct development of long-known tactical proxy conflicts, and their development at the strategic level of "offshore balancing", and the threat of "hybrid" confrontation is relevant now and in the foreseeable future, but to counteract it the existing methods of armed confrontation are ineffective. The author concludes that it is necessary to ensure the readiness of our country to fend off such threats, describes possible aspects of the organization of counteraction.

hybrid war, mercenarism, proxy war, flexible force, smart power, private military companies, information confrontation, economic wars, sanctions and blockades, history of hybrid wars