Information and hybrid warfare make politicians think along
-
Editor-in-Chief, Riigikogu Toimetised
In the modern security landscape, hybrid warfare—where information manipulation rivals kinetic force in impact—has become a formidable threat to democratic societies.
Estonian policymakers engaged in a high-level dialogue to dissect the nation’s vulnerabilities to such tactics, highlighting the strategic deployment of disinformation, cyberattacks, and societal polarization. Russia’s long-term objective is not merely territorial expansion but the destabilization of liberal democratic orders through the erosion of public trust in elections, media, and legal institutions. Participants stressed the importance of media literacy, transparency, and civic resilience in countering psychological operations, whether foreign or domestic. As digital platforms magnify cognitive asymmetries, the onus is on governments and citizens alike to discern truth amidst overwhelming data flows. This deliberation reveals the urgent need for fortified democratic infrastructure and critical engagement with both traditional and emergent vectors of influence.