The 2021 CEPA report, "The Evolution of Russian Hybrid Warfare," explores Russia’s strategic use of hybrid warfare as part of a chaos strategy to asymmetrically compete with Western powers, primarily NATO and the United States. Rooted in a perception of conventional military inferiority and a narrative of post-Cold War humiliation and encirclement threats, Russia employs a mix of conventional and unconventional methods—irregular warfare, cyberattacks, disinformation, economic pressure, political subversion, and special operations—with the goal of fragmenting Western alliances and undermining the political systems of frontline states and institutions. Through case studies of Ukraine, Estonia, the United Kingdom, and supranational bodies like the EU and NATO, the report details how Russia adapts its hybrid tools based on geographic and political proximity, with closer neighbors experiencing more intense, diverse hybrid efforts. It recognizes the West’s challenge in crafting unified countermeasures due to the contextual differences, emphasizing the importance of tailored responses. The report’s authorship includes senior analysts and scholars with strong expertise in Eurasian security and Russian affairs and was supported by the Smith Richardson Foundation.

The 2021 CEPA report, "The Evolution of Russian Hybrid Warfare," explores Russia’s strategic use of hybrid warfare as part of a chaos strategy to asymmetrically compete with Western powers, primarily NATO and the United States. Rooted in a perception of conventional military inferiority and a narrative of post-Cold War humiliation and encirclement threats, Russia employs a mix of conventional and unconventional methods—irregular warfare, cyberattacks, disinformation, economic pressure, political subversion, and special operations—with the goal of fragmenting Western alliances and undermining the political systems of frontline states and institutions. Through case studies of Ukraine, Estonia, the United Kingdom, and supranational bodies like the EU and NATO, the report details how Russia adapts its hybrid tools based on geographic and political proximity, with closer neighbors experiencing more intense, diverse hybrid efforts. It recognizes the West’s challenge in crafting unified countermeasures due to the contextual differences, emphasizing the importance of tailored responses. The report’s authorship includes senior analysts and scholars with strong expertise in Eurasian security and Russian affairs and was supported by the Smith Richardson Foundation.