A Policy Response to Foreign Information Manipulation’s Impact on Civilian CSDP Missions

Civilian CSDP missions are at risk from rising hybrid security threats driven by actors such as Russia and environments where the information ecosystem is dominated by social media. Host states are under threat from attacks on critical infrastructure and disinformation attacks target the reputation of the EU and its missions. The tools the EU has at its disposal are defined by the Strategic Compass and the 2018 Civilian CSDP Compact. The Compass proposes that preventive, cooperative, stabilisation, restrictive, and recovery measures be collected into a formal hybrid toolbox, in addition to mechanisms such as the cyber diplomacy toolbox and the Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) toolbox. 

The Compact highlights hybrid threats as a focus area for Civilian CSDP and the EEAS has prepared a mini-concept document on how the missions can strengthen both the EU's and its own resilience and the resilience of the host state. Mission personnel should be properly trained in the field of hybrid threats, and specific capacity building activities for hybrid threats can be integrated into the mission's mandate. A Hybrid Risk Survey can be conducted in host states to determine areas for development in national strategies and legislation. To fulfil these tasks the EU and MS need to build their own capabilities in analysis, cybersecurity, and strategic communications. This article provides a snapshot of the development of EU hybrid capabilities as the topic gained urgency in EU CSDP. 

Reference: Huisman, Crista (2022). A policy response to foreign information manipulation's impact on civilian CSDP missions. Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF). ZIF Techpops.