1. Rationale for the Program

The contemporary security environment is characterized by the transformation of conflicts from conventional military confrontations into complex, multidimensional forms of action that combine political, informational, economic, intelligence, cyber, and psychological instruments of power. This form of conflict, known as hybrid warfare, has become the dominant model of strategic competition within the international system of the 21st century.

Hybrid activities particularly affect states with open information spaces, political fragmentation, and geopolitical exposure, such as the countries of the Western Balkans. Examples of coordinated disinformation campaigns, political influence conducted through media and social networks, the instrumentalization of energy, migration, identity-related issues, and social divisions demonstrate that contemporary security challenges exceed the traditional frameworks of military and police security.

In this context, there is a growing need for specialized education of experts who understand:

• the logic and structure of hybrid operations
• the role of intelligence and informational dimensions of conflict
• the vulnerabilities of modern societies and institutions
• methods for detecting, analyzing, and responding to hybrid threats

Conceptually, the program is based on the Security Science approach, which views security as an integrative scientific discipline that studies security problems, threats, and mechanisms of protection across all domains of society. Within this framework, hybrid warfare represents a contemporary form of high-intensity security threat that requires an interdisciplinary response.

Existing academic programs in the region generally address hybrid warfare only fragmentarily (within international security, conflict studies, or cyber security), while there is still no integrated, professionally oriented executive program systematically connecting theory, analysis, and practical tools.

The Executive Certificate in Hybrid Warfare was developed to fill this gap through a multidisciplinary and applied approach intended for decision-makers, security professionals, and strategic analysts.

2. Program Objectives

The program aims to enable participants to:

1. Understand the theory and evolution of hybrid warfare
2. Identify actors, instruments, and domains of hybrid operations
3. Analyze hybrid campaigns and influence strategies
4. Assess institutional and societal vulnerabilities
5. Develop models of resilience and response
6. Apply analytical tools for detecting hybrid threats

3. Target Group

The program is intended for:

• government officials and decision-makers
• members of the security and intelligence sector
• military and police officers
• diplomats and international relations analysts
• journalists and media professionals
• experts in critical infrastructure and cybersecurity
• the academic community and security researchers

4. Program Structure and Duration

Total duration: 8 teaching hours
Format: Modular (lectures, case studies, workshops)
Final assignment: Analytical paper or threat assessment

5. Curriculum

Module 1 — Theory and Concept of Hybrid Warfare (1h)

• Evolution of conflict: from conventional to hybrid warfare
• Definitions and theoretical models of hybrid warfare
• Hybrid warfare within the framework of Security Science
• Domains of hybrid activity (informational, political, economic, military, cyber)

Module 2 — Actors and Strategies of Hybrid Operations (1h)

• State and non-state actors
• Proxy structures and influence networks
• Grey-zone operations
• Doctrines of major powers

Module 3 — Information and Psychological Warfare (1h)

• Disinformation and propaganda
• Influence operations and narratives
• Psychological operations (PSYOPS)
• Social networks as a battlefield

Module 4 — Cyber and Technological Dimension (2h)

• Cyber operations in hybrid warfare
• Digital manipulation and information operations
• Critical infrastructure and cyber threats
• Technological tools of hybrid activity

Module 5 — Political and Economic Hybrid Activities (1h)

• Energy as an instrument of power
• Economic pressure and corruption penetration
• Political influence and electoral processes
• Hybrid activities through institutions

Module 6 — Hybrid Operations in the Region and Worldwide (1h)

• Russian hybrid operations
• China and hybrid influence
• The Middle East and irregular actors
• The Western Balkans as a hybrid operational space

Module 7 — Detection and Analysis of Hybrid Threats (1h)

• Indicators of hybrid activities
• Analytical models and methodologies
• Mapping influence networks
• Threat assessment

Module 8 — Resilience and Response (1h)

• National resilience
• Counter-hybrid strategies
• Strategic communication
• Interinstitutional coordination

TOTAL: 8 Teaching Hours

6. Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, participants will be able to:

• Explain the structure of hybrid conflicts

• Identify hybrid operations and actors

• Analyze influence campaigns

• Assess system vulnerabilities

• Develop hybrid threat assessments

• Propose resilience measures

7. Schedule

• Introduction | 09:30 – 09:45 | Prof. Dr. Darko Trifunović
• 1st Lecture | 09:45 – 10:30 | Boško Zorić (Retired Serbian Army Colonel)
• 2nd Lecture | 10:30 – 11:15 | Boško Zorić (Retired Serbian Army Colonel)
• Break | 11:15 – 11:30
• 3rd Lecture | 11:30 – 12:15 | Saša Stefanović (Retired Serbian Army Colonel)
• 4th Lecture | 12:15 – 13:00 | Saša Stefanović (Retired Serbian Army Colonel)
• Break | 13:00 – 13:15
• 5th Lecture | 13:15 – 14:00 | Boško Zorić (Retired Serbian Army Colonel)
• Lunch Break | 14:00 – 14:30
• 6th Lecture | 14:30 – 15:15 | Prof. Dr. Darko Trifunović
• 7th Lecture | 15:15 – 16:00 | Prof. Dr. Darko Trifunović
• Break | 16:00 – 16:15
• 8th Lecture | 16:15 – 17:00 | Saša Stefanović (Retired Serbian Army Colonel)