A STUDY ON THE CAPABILITIES OF UNCONVENTIONAL OPERATIONAL ELEMENTS, THE CENTER OF GRAVITY OF HYBRID THREATS.

By resorting to research techniques such as the content analysis technique, the documentary analysis and the case studies, the scientific research results presented in this article bring to the attention of the specialists novelty elements about the center of gravity of the hybrid threats, through a comprehensive and immersive approach to the current challenges to the international security environment. The tactics of special operations forces (which are characteristic to states) and irregular forces such as non-state paramilitary forces are treated: insurgents, guerrillas, terrorist groups, mercenaries, private military companies, cross-border criminal organisations, but also other unconventional means: psychological operations, informational operations and cyber aggressions. All of these are treated as structural elements of hybrid threats. Essentially, in order to prevent or control national security risks posed by hybrid threats, the place and role of unconventional operational elements within these types of emerging threats must be understood. The scientific research in this field requires that the Romanian army is synchronised with the new evolutions of the contemporary war. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]