New synthesis paper by SOC ACE researcher, Matthew Redhead : An absence of peace, a rumour of war; The problem of defining state threats

Calling for an urgent shake-up in how governments think about state threats, Matthew Redhead has offered a new working model for policymakers in addressing hybrid and grey zone attacks.

His innovative model draws upon existing definitions used by Western powers, and discusses the evolving nature of state hostile actions which are not severe enough to be called war, but are encouraged by states, have hostile intent, and undermine or abuse norms of behaviour.

The hybrid, grey zone or intelligence conflicts play out in the space between outright war and conventional peace.

Matthew says we must remain vigilant to the changing nature of these threats, our dependencies and the new vulnerabilities, because the traditional line between war and peace no longer exists. We must remain clear-headed and flexible, sharing intelligence with our allies and within our own government. And finally, we must create a toolkit of responses that is ethical and legal, but effective against the changing nature of state threats.

Read the synthesis paper here, and view the Understanding State Threats SOC ACE project for further information.