Hybrid Conflicts and Information Warfare: New Labels, Old Politics

This edited volume stands apart from most Western accounts of hybrid warfare by incorporating both Western and Russian scholarly perspectives — a methodological choice that significantly enriches the analysis. The contributors examine hybrid warfare not as a fixed doctrine but as a contested concept, exploring how the term has been instrumentalised by different actors for different purposes. The coverage spans hybridity theory, the Russian military's own conception of information warfare (which differs substantially from Western interpretations), the ethics of information operations, and the information dimensions of the Islamic State's campaigns.

The book is directly relevant to practitioners because it resists the simplification that most policy documents impose on this field. Hybrid warfare is not a Russian invention, it is not a single coherent strategy, and the label itself has political effects that shape how states respond to threats. Understanding the conceptual architecture — what these terms mean, where they came from, and what interests they serve — is a precondition for accurate threat assessment. Rated highly recommended by Choice, this volume is essential for anyone working at the intersection of information operations, strategic studies, and policy.