Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1519846
provocations, or acts of sabotage and diversion. Sounds familiar? Poland has been exposed to hybrid operations for a few years now. Further intensification of such incidents may be expected in the coming months. From the Police's standpoint, the greatest challenge stems from the fact that activities as such cannot be placed in a category defined by a single, prohibited action. They may not even be classified as a crime, at least not immediately. For instance, protests or manifestations organized within legal limits remain completely legal. Only some statements made in the public sphere (for instance, endorsing open aggression) are penalized. Completely legal acts could plausibly be an interlude, preceding activities that are illegal. In the case of hybrid threats, seemingly ordinary events create a new layer of this problem. Not only will the perpetrators be driven to commit the crime, but they will also be engaged in criminal activities organized in a way that is aimed at polarizing the society, and at diminishing the trust the public has towards the state organs. For instance, a manifestation may be organized to express views on some matter. But it may also be aimed at engaging in a force-based confrontation with the Police, to create and support a narrative involving unjustified repercussions. This will mean that any activities undertaken would need to be careful, balancing the necessity to use the force only when required and clearly legal. On the other hand, the Police would need to remain cool when facing potential provocative actions, not to create a pretext for disinformation, but also to be able to skillfully manage their own narrative. It would be easier to employ the Police and its assets, should the hybrid operations be easily classifiable as illegal. Then, taking proper action would not entail any doubts. Within that context, hybrid threats taking on the form of terrorist attacks are especially relevant. www.fragoutmag.com