Analysis of Hybrid Warfare from the Perspective of U.S. Strategic Documents: Capabilities and Priorities

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Master's degree in International Relations, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Strategic Defense Sciences, National Defense University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Hybrid warfare is one of the most widely used concepts in the international system and holds significant importance in the foreign policies of states. Major powers seek to maximize its use to secure their national interests. Therefore, a deep examination of states’ understanding of this concept is essential. In this context, analyzing hybrid warfare from the perspective of USA, as the leading power in the international system, is of particular importance for Iran.
The main objective of this study is to explain the perception of American policymakers regarding hybrid warfare. This applied research follows an exploratory-inductive method. According to the findings, the U.S. possesses the highest military, economic, political, media, security, and cyber capabilities, which significantly enhance Washington’s ability to counter hybrid threats and take retaliatory actions. From the perspective of American policymakers, hybrid warfare involves a wide range of overt and covert military, paramilitary, and non-military actions integrated into a highly coordinated strategy. The aggressor state aims to influence key policymakers and decision-makers in the target country by combining kinetic operations with subversive efforts. According to Washington's perception, the most critical characteristic of hybrid warfare is its covert nature, making it difficult to attribute and punish the aggressor state.

Keywords

Smiley face

References

ابراهیمی، هادی. (1399). جنگ ترکیبی: رویکرد ایالات متحده آمریکا در مواجهه با جمهوری اسلامی ایران. فصلنامه‌ی پژوهش‌های روابط بین‌الملل، 2(10)، 155-180
ریاضی  وحید، اکبری علی، باجلانی صفدر و اکبری حسن‌رضا. (1400). معرفی مؤلفه‌ها و ابزارهای جنگ ترکیبی آمریکا علیه ج.ا.ایران. فصلنامه علمی راهبرد دفاعی، 19(73)، 27-1
قادری کنگاوری، روح‌اله. (1402). جنگ ترکیبی آمریکا علیه جمهوری اسلامی ایران به روایت دیپلماسی و مذاکره؛ از دیپلماسی اجبار تا بازدارندگی اطلاعاتی. مطالعات راهبردی آمریکا، 2(8)، 11-47.
کلانتری، فتح‌اله. (1402). جنگ ترکیبی. پژوهشگاه علوم و فناوری دفاع مقدس شهید سپهبد پاسدار حاج قاسم سلیمانی.
کلانتری، فتح‌اله و حسینی، سید حسین. (1403). عوامل و روش‌های جنگ ترکیبی شبکه‌ای آمریکا علیه جمهوری اسلامی ایران. مطالعات راهبردی آمریکا، 3(11)، 63-92.
kalantari, F., & Hosseini, S. H. (2024). Factors and methods of combined network warfare of the United States against the Islamic Republic of Iran. American Strategic Studies, 3(3), 63-92. [In Persian]
offman, F.G. (2009). Hybrid Warfare and Challenges. Joint Force Quarterly, No. 52, 34-39
Johnson, R. (2017). The Evolution of Hybrid Threats Through History, in SHIFTING PARADIGM OF WAR: HYBRID WARFARE 3–5
National Security Strategy of USA. (2006). https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/nsc/nss/2006/
National Security Strategy of USA. (2010) https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/rss_viewer/national_security_strategy.pdf
National Security Strategy of USA. (2015). https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2015_national_security_strategy_2.pdf .
National Security Strategy of USA. (2017). https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1655&context=jss
National Security Strategy of USA. (2022). https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Biden-Harris-Administrations-National-Security-Strategy-10.2022.pdf
Nemeth, W.J. (2002). Future War and Chechnya: A Case for Hybrid Warfare. Master’s Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, USA
Qureshi, W.A. (2020). The Rise of Hybrid Warfare. Notre Dame Journal of International & Comparative Law: Vol. 10: Iss. 2, Article 5. Available at: https://scholarship.law.nd.edu/ndjicl/vol10/iss2/5
Schmid, J. (2019). The Hybrid Face of Warfare in the 21st Century. Maanpuolustus magazine. Available at: https://www.maanpuolustus-lehti.fi/the-hybrid-face-of-warfare-in-the-21st-century/#content
American Strategic Studies
Volume 5, Issue 2 - Serial Number 18
Serial number 18- Summer 2025
July 2025
Pages 11-40

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 18 December 1403
  • Revise Date: 18 April 1404
  • Accept Date: 18 April 1404
  • Publish Date: 22 August 2025

Share

How to cite

Statistics