Countries are looking at joint offensive cyber operations and surprise military drills as Moscow steps up its campaign to destabilize NATO allies.
Russia’s drones and agents are unleashing attacks across NATO countries and Europe is now doing what would have seemed outlandish just a few years ago: planning how to hit back.
Ideas range from joint offensive cyber operations against Russia, and faster and more coordinated attribution of hybrid attacks by quickly pointing the finger at Moscow, to surprise NATO-led military exercises, according to two senior European government officials and three EU diplomats.
“The Russians are constantly testing the limits — what is the response, how far can we go?” Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže noted in an interview. A more “proactive response is needed,” she told POLITICO. “And it’s not talking that sends a signal — it’s doing.”
How do you think the unthinkable?
With an itheberg.
I’ll see myself out.
Loved it
About ducking time
EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said such threats posed an “extreme danger” to the bloc, arguing it must “have a strong response” to the attacks.
Last week, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto slammed the continent’s “inertia” in the face of growing hybrid attacks and unveiled a 125-page plan to retaliate. In it, he suggested establishing a European Center for Countering Hybrid Warfare, a 1,500-strong cyber force, as well as military personnel specialized in artificial intelligence.
“Everybody needs to revise their security procedures,” Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said on Nov. 20. “Russia is clearly escalating its hybrid war against EU citizens.”
Walk the talk
Despite the increasingly fierce rhetoric, what a more muscular response means is still an open question.
Part of that is down to the difference between Moscow and Brussels — the latter is more constrained by acting within the rules, according to Kevin Limonier, a professor and deputy director at the Paris-based GEODE think tank.
As much as I’d love for the EU to get its shit together right now, I have to agree with this 100%.
“This raises an ethical and philosophical question: Can states governed by the rule of law afford to use the same tools … and the same strategies as the Russians?” he asked.
So far, countries like Germany and Romania are strengthening rules that would allow authorities to shoot down drones flying over airports and militarily sensitive objects.
National security services, meanwhile, can operate in a legal gray zone. Allies from Denmark to the Czech Republic already allow offensive cyber operations.
So, some nations (mostly those bordering on Russia) are already taking, hmm, “semi-offensive” action while we’re still waiting on the EU’s official response - the “walk” as opposed to the “talk”.
So fucking DO something already.
And use your own money!
Which country is the only one in history to invoke article 5 again?
Okay, but then don’t come crying that your “allies” aren’t helping you the next time y’all decide to invade the Middle East
No I’m donating.
We’ve all been donating for decades already with our outrageously expensive healthcare. It’s the trade we make for European security guarantees.
In the meantime, Europeans get to go to the hospital for free and make fun of us for the situation.
And if there is a major war, they’ll expect US soldiers to defend them. Those soldiers will get their legs blown off, and they’ll come home to little support from the VA and still no national healthcare.
You seem to think healthcare and military spending are tied together and we can only choose one. You know you’re wrong so I’m gonna leave you to question yourself instead.
Looking for another handout? Those days are over apparently.
The idea of cyber/hybrid warfare against Russia is pretty interesting. Would be interesting at any rate to see how they like having a troll brigade stirring up their populace.
It seems that Europe hasn’t forgotten that appeasement does not work.
Took only 11 years to remember since Russia annexed Crimea
WW3 right around the corner, which is fucking horrible, but what other choice does the world have? What an awful predicament we’re creeping towards :/
WWII only happened because we tried to appease Hitler and let him grow stronger annexing territory rather than fighting back. It’s not too late to close the Pandora’s box that is Russia under Putin, but it needs to be done deliberately and forcefully.
…finally, a russian stooge in charge of america, so let’s maybe bring the choccy carts to the fight…/s, i shouldn’t need this, it happened before
“Retaliating”.
