Hybrid Warfare in the 21st Century: Implications for Pakistan

Abstract

This study with the help of different supportive theories of hybrid warfare intends to argue that it is crucial for Pakistan to redefine threat perception with the lens of hybrid warfare theory rather than traditional threats. The study highlights that due to focusing too much on traditional security threats, Pakistan is unable to identify the actual threats which are posed by Pakistan’s arch rival India and its allies. The study identifies that actual threat to Pakistan from India is not by battleground weapons, rather by virtual tools which are employed against Pakistan to defeat it without fighting a physical war. Pakistan is in such type of virtual warfare, without knowing that it is in a state of war. However, through qualitative method primary and secondary data is analyzed to build a strong argument of the research. As a result, Pakistan is bleeding and becoming economically, politically and militarily weak. It is not affordable for Pakistan to opt the policy of wait and see, as rivals of Pakistan want it to bleed and hemorrhage. This is the high time for managers of Pakistan to understand the 21st Century threats and take the preemptive measures to safeguard it from hybrid warfare threats.