The report introduces the understanding of Europe and NATO about the hybrid threat. It maintains that the latter is an unclear combination of covert and overt actions conducted in a comprehensive and synchronized strategic framework. In addition, the hybrid threat provides opportunities for state or non-state actors to achieve specific policy goals at a minimal cost. In the interim, the United States has announced the gray zone conflict that describes the plethora of activities in the space between peace and war. Their success relies on a complex strategy that includes all necessary instruments of power and slips below the threshold of war. The report concludes that the hybrid threat and the gray zone conflict are comparable strategic approaches that include actors with multiple elements of power. Their actions are well organized and synchronized and stay under the level of open military conflict. Regrettably, Europe and USA describe one strategic situation with different terms and this creates a risk for misunderstanding and/or inaction
