February 03, 2026.

Published by the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) in February 2026 and authored by Anastasia Pociumban, this article highlights that hybrid threats primarily take advantage of distrust in institutions, corruption and governance weaknesses to undermine democracies.

Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has intensified these practices in Eastern Europe, particularly through disinformation, cyberattacks, and economic pressure. Meanwhile, Moldova stands as an example of democratic resilience. By enhancing transparency, communications and cooperation with its Western partners, the country has managed to limit the impact of external interference and increase the cost of destabilization operations. Its example underscores the importance of institutions’ ability to adapt quickly to evolving hybrid threats.

You can read the external publication “Combating Hybrid Threats: How Moldova Protected its Democracy” by Anastasia Pociumban, published by the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) here.