1
Master's degree in International Relations, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
2
Associate Professor 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.
Kamalzare, H., & Kalantari, F. (2025). Analysis of Hybrid Warfare from the Perspective of U.S. Strategic Documents: Capabilities and Priorities. American Strategic Studies, (), -.
MLA
Hossein Kamalzare; Fathollah Kalantari. "Analysis of Hybrid Warfare from the Perspective of U.S. Strategic Documents: Capabilities and Priorities", American Strategic Studies, , , 2025, -.
HARVARD
Kamalzare, H., Kalantari, F. (2025). 'Analysis of Hybrid Warfare from the Perspective of U.S. Strategic Documents: Capabilities and Priorities', American Strategic Studies, (), pp. -.
VANCOUVER
Kamalzare, H., Kalantari, F. Analysis of Hybrid Warfare from the Perspective of U.S. Strategic Documents: Capabilities and Priorities. American Strategic Studies, 2025; (): -.
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