Building resilience and psychological defence: Countering hybrid threats and foreign influence and interference

This project addresses different forms of hybrid threats, foreign influence and interference across the entire conflict spectrum including crisis and war by mapping the experiences and lessons of different states and other actors targeted by these types of threats at different levels of conflict.

The importance of building resilience and psychological defence capabilities against various forms of hybrid threats and foreign influences is greater than ever. After Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022 we see before us a seriously deteriorated security policy situation and a very uncertain international development both in Sweden, Europe and globally. New geopolitical challenges have increased the threat regarding, for example, offensive cyber and influence operations by state actors as well as the use of disinformation by irregular actors.

It has become increasingly obvious that resilience and psychological defence capability must be enhanced. This project addresses different forms of hybrid threats, foreign influence and interference across the entire conflict spectrum including crisis and war by mapping the experiences and lessons of different states and other actors targeted by these types of threats at different levels of conflict.

Building psychological defence capacity

The project aims to advance the state of the field with regard to psychological defence capacity building and methods for identifying, analysing and responding to hybrid threats and foreign interference and influence. It also aims to operationalise the findings, thereby enhancing our ability to operationalise the findings, thereby contributing to the development of psychological defence in Sweden and elsewhere by increasing the capacity to identify and analyse hybrid threats and foreign influences and to build capacity to meet such methodology.

Project structure

The project includes four parallel modules; 1) case studies; 2)international actors and cooperation bodies; 3)Sweden and psychological defence and 4)synthesis.

Challenges faced by countries in Russia’s vicinity

The first module will focus on several parallel case studies that will be conducted and synthesised. Focus will be on the challenges faced by countries in Russia’s vicinity, such as the Baltic States, Finland, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Georgia, as well as Serbia and other Western Balkan countries. The case studies focus on challenges from Russia as well as other foreign and domestic actors.

The project focuses on cases with particular relevance for Sweden and what lessons that can be learnt from a Swedish perspective.

International actors and co-operation bodies

Thie second module studies lessons learned and best practices in international organisations and cooperation such as NATO and the EU, and how these can be translated into a Swedish context. Particular focus will be placed on NATO and the EU.

Sweden and psychological defence

Thie third module addresses challenges and areas of development for psychological defence, and is divided into a theoretical and an implementation part:

In part one it is asked how the challenges and opportunities identified in modules 1 and 2 may be used against, affect or benefit Sweden? What are Sweden's vulnerabilities and opportunities? What lessons can be learnt from the successes and failures of these countries?

Part two focuses on how to improve Sweden's resilience and psychological defence capability. This part studies Sweden's systems and operational interaction between actors in the short, medium and long term. The focus is on both national systems and interaction as well as international systems and co-operation.

Synthesis and final report

This module draws together lessons learnt, tools and best practices to create a toolbox for resilience building and ability to face hybrid threats and external impacts. We also draw conclusions about Sweden as an international actor.