Russia and the ‘Gray Zone’ of War

EXPERT INTERVIEWS – It’s a theater of conflict that isn’t quite war – or a war that is fought in the shadows, using non-traditional and hard-to-trace methods that might include cyberattacks, the cutting of undersea communications cables, and more. But “gray zone” conflict, as it has come to be known, is profoundly dangerous and to date has confounded policymakers seeking to find a deterrent.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) recently released a report about Russia’s activity in the realm of gray zone warfare – specifically the Kremlin’s increasing use of sabotage to pressure the U.S. and its allies on Ukraine. Cipher Brief experts have written and spoken often about the issue, and the need to confront it more directly. Earlier this year, The Cipher Brief published a three-part series on gray zone warfare – how it works, and what can be done in response. And this year, The Cipher Brief launched a new Gray Zone Group of experts to drive understanding of hybrid warfare.