How States Use Non-State Actors: a Modus Operandi for Covert State Subversion and Malign Networks

APRIL 2019 Hybrid CoE Strategic Analysis 15 How states use non-state actors: A modus operandi for covert state subversion and malign networks MAGNUS NORMARK Hybrid CoE Hybrid CoE Strategic Analysis 15 How states use non-state actors: A modus operandi for covert state subversion and malign networks States with a strong and long-term interest in influencing, manipulating and creating events in other countries to promote their interests will probably utilize different non-state actors in a systematic manner. – writes Magnus Normark The term hybrid threat refers to coordi- nated and synchronized actions conducted States operating through different by an actor whose goal is to undermine or non-state entities harm the target by influencing its deci- sion-making at the local, regional, state or institutional level. As such, hybrid threats States acting through third parties, or could be conducted by both state and those disguised as such, for the purposes non-state actors. Finding clear and explicit of influencing and taking hostile meas- examples of hybrid threat manifestations ures against other states is certainly not deriving solely from a non-state actor is a new phenomenon. Using other entities somewhat more difficult as most criminal in order to influence, manipulate and and terrorist groups tend to rely primarily obstruct can have a number of advantag- on violence or the threat of violence. es, providing insights into the conceptual understanding of non-state manifesta- A quick review of the existing literature tions of hybrid threat campaigns. The on hybrid threats reveals that the active non-state entity may be a direct specific use of non-state actors in hybrid construct of the foreign state, a long-term campaigns has not been the focus of ally formed through established relation- researchers and academics. Traditionally, ships and mutual dependency, a short-term these type of challenges, often referred ally for achieving common objectives in to as “proxy warfare”, have arisen in con- a local or specific issue, or simply a “useful nection with the Iranian use of Hizballah idiot” that may not be aware that it serves in its long-term, low-intensity conflict with a purpose in a hybrid threat campaign. Israel. More recent events have brought States with a strong and long-term interest the proxy warfare dilemma to the fore due in influencing, manipulating and creating to state support for militant rebel factions events in other countries to promote their in contemporary conflicts, such as the wars interests will probably utilize all of the in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, to either promote above in a systematic fashion. policy interests and/or counter those of other states. 2 How states use non-state actors Acting covertly through a third entity in support of regimes where deniability of involvement is of vital interest serves Directing activity through non-state as a case in point. Many states have entities presents an opportunity to employed PMCs in conflict zones over the conduct activities of a harmful nature years and a recent case of relevance from against other countries covertly. This is a a European perspective would be the particularly attractive approach as it makes Russian PMC ‘the Wagner Group’, which it more difficult for the targeted states to has reportedly been observed in the con- detect the harmful activity and respond flict in Eastern Ukraine as well as in Syria, before it occurs, but also because it South Sudan, Central African Republic, impedes the targeted state’s ability to and most recently in Venezuela. attribute the harmful operation to the foreign state behind the event or series Skillsets suitable for specific activities of events. Acting covertly through a third entity might even contribute to Another feature pertinent to hybrid the foreign state being able to reach its threat activities is the opportunity to desired objectives without the targeted deploy entities in the target country state being aware that it has been sub- with certain skillsets suitable for specific jected to harmful activities. The Russian activities. The ability to enter the market Federation’s use of the Pro-Russian within critical infrastructure sectors, for nationalist group Night Wolves MC in the example through investments of relevance early phase of the annexation of Crimea to the targeted state using entities under in February 2014 serves as an example. the control of foreign states, would be The Night Wolves Sevastopol chapter was highly useful for exerting influence and utilized to collect intelligence, distribute conducting obstructive measures of some propaganda and organize protests prior consequence. Leverage building is often to the annexation, thus serving as an performed within legal boundaries, important covert part of the Russian making it difficult for law enforcement offensive capability. During the annexation, and security services to identify such the Night Wolves came to play a small but occurrences and, if they do, to allocate active part in armed operations and intim- resources for proper investigations. idation measures, duly providing another The case of the Airiston Helmi real-estate useful advantage of employing entities company in Finland is an instructive with an established capacity for using case, which could have potentially been violent means. a very convenient overt entity for making strategically important investments and The deployment of Private Military preparing properties for future use to the Corporations (PMCs) detriment of the targeted state. In addition to some fairly standard components Acting in a covert mode provides for the of international financial crime schemes, ability to deny and refute any potential the case entailed Russian citizens accusations of involvement in the events. purchasing properties with highly unusu- This would be convenient for foreign states al security features, advanced technical with an interest in engaging in activities in equipment and exceptional capacity for politically sensitive areas. The deployment housing a large number of individuals and of Private Military Corporations (PMCs) large transport platforms in a strategically for risky operations in conflict zones or important geographical area in the Finnish 3 How states use non-state actors archipelago. The properties are located and manipulate target audiences, have in an area through which a majority of clearly been used in hybrid campaigns by sea cargo to Finland is transported, where state actors. To some extent, this is also the Finnish coastal fleet with all its naval the case vis-à-vis organizations such as the combat vessels is based, and in proximity Islamic State, which are guided by radical, to key seabed communication cables. anti-democratic agendas and are intent This case clearly illustrates one of the upon punishing infidels and the heretic many features of hybrid threats mani- lifestyle in the West, and promoting their fested through non-state actors when agenda in Western states. The ability to considering how foreign states can perform such actions to inflict harm on act through third parties to influence, Western societies has been limited thus interfere in or obstruct affairs in far, however, apart from those terrorist another state, with the aim of producing attacks perpetrated by sympathizers negative consequences or fostering with the organization’s propaganda and the ability to do so when desired. narrative. But another manifestation of such practices by radical followers of Criminal organizations conservative Salafi/jihadi ideology would, however, serve as a clear and growing Even a criminal organization with challenge of a hybrid threat nature. operations and networks in the target state could prove to be a very useful The case of Salafi/jihadi influence entity for foreign state activities in a activities in Sweden hybrid threat context. Exploiting criminal organizations could entail utilizing estab- A recent comprehensive Swedish study lished smuggling networks, the ability to described the development of Salafi- provide forged documents, financial crime jihadi influence activities in Sweden. The schemes, or simply the ability to threaten, findings provide insights into a wide range intimidate, pressure or harm strategically of influencing activities conducted in a important individuals or groups in a systematic manner through vulnerable specific situation for political purposes. sectors of society and directed at a broad The Iranian relationship with the powerful target audience. The avenues for these and multifaceted terrorist organization influencing activities have expanded from Hizballah is a case in point, as the organi- preaching to congregations in close-knit zation’s operatives have been present and gatherings, social media video lectures and active in Europe for many years as a part street dawa to establishing institutions of its criminal enterprises and terrorist within welfare-funded sectors such as activities, with tentacles extending to the education and healthcare sectors. almost every corner of the world. As such, it has become a useful entity through These activities not only open a gateway which Iran can track potential targets to radicalization, giving rise to violent of strategic interest, and for intimidation acts in the targeted society, but also and assassination operations. constitute a source of increasing segre- gation and polarization, resulting in an Social-media and cyber tools increasing number of people that reject democratic institutions

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