The start and completion of the 1st cycle, of the 2nd Information Seminar of the Ministry of National Defence entitled: “Implemented and Holistic Hybrid Threats and Crisis Management”, was held with absolute success, organised by the General Directorate of National Defence Policy and International Relations of the Ministry of National Defence, as part of its activities.
The works of the Seminar began on 12 May 2022, with an opening speech by the General Director of National Defence Policy and International Relations of the Ministry of National Defence, Dr. Konstantinos P. Balomenos. The event was honoured with the presence of Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General (HA) Themistocles Bourolias as representative of the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, who also addressed a brief greeting; the Deputy Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Rear Admiral (HN) Georgios Kambourakis as representative of the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff; and the Director of A’ Branch of the Hellenic Army General Staff, Major General Spyridon Alfantakis, as representative of the Chief of the Hellenic Army Staff.
The first cycle of this Seminar was completed on 14 May 2022, with the evaluation of hybrid threats/crises and their impact on Physical Environment. In particular, modern studies of hybrid warfare cases, tactics, practices and conclusions were analysed, and lessons were indentified that could help to understand the phenomenon, deal with and adapt to hybrid challenges.
Further reference was made to the role of the Armed Forces in the “Grey Zone”, which is placed between diplomacy and below the boundary of the armed conflict, the way in which nuclear, biological and chemical threats are addressed, as well as the methodology for linking the military doctrines, that constitute the military intellectual background to achieve the mission of the Armed Forces, with the phenomenon of hybrid warfare, both nationally and at NATO level.
Given that the response to hybrid threats and crises depends primarily on events on the ground in the Physical Environment, this seminar cycle was the first step in the process of informing and providing training in the field of the holistic management of hybrid threats and crises. The next cycle will take place on 19-21 May 2022, with topics focusing on the Digital Environment of hybrid war.
