The Hybridity of Modern Threats - a Challenge for Democracy

Security issues are among the most pressing problems in today's world. In the wake of the development of technologies and the digital revolution, the understanding of the concept of security itself has also undergone modernization. The dynamic changes taking place in the modern world have shown us that the concept of a safe environment is rapidly becoming obsolete in our reality. Hybrid threats, including the spread of disinformation, have become a major challenge for democracies and an international order based on liberal common values. In the context of the rapid evolution of digital technologies, disinformation has become a key tool for shaping public opinion, influencing elections, and destabilizing societies. State and non-state actors utilise social media platforms to disseminate disinformation, thereby exacerbating divisions within societies and between states. While disinformation is not a new phenomenon, the scale and speed of its spread in the digital age make it more potent and difficult to contain. An analysis of hybrid strategies employed by various authoritarian regimes reveals that controlled narratives can offer strategic advantages without resorting to military force. As hybrid methods become increasingly sophisticated in the wake of the development of digital technologies, democratic states must recognize the seriousness of the threat and take measures to protect their institutions. Without a coordinated effort, the use of information as a weapon and other hybrid tools will further weaken trust in democratic societies and increase the risks of destabilization in favor of authoritarian regimes. The article reviews contemporary threats that have hybrid characteristics and affect both international and individual state and community security. It analyzes what hybridity is, what the characteristics of hybrid actions are, what threats they contain and to what extent they affect modern societies. The paper examines the challenges of democracy in the context of hybrid threats and proposes solutions to address them. The aim of the paper is to identify and analyze new threats in the context of the geopolitical situation of the modern world, especially in terms of the information and media space. This allows us to better understand future challenges to national security on a global and regional scale.