NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION

Topic Summary

Hybrid warfare is a complex and evolving threat that combines traditional military tactics with unconventional methods such as disinformation campaigns, cyber attacks, and economic coercion. Although hybrid warfare has existed for decades, the current technological landscape has introduced new, important considerations that must be addressed as we fortify countries’ security in the face of novel threats. One important example of developing hybrid warfare is the increasing use of AI technology for operations. As a prominent recent example, Russia has used AI-powered propaganda and disinformation campaigns to manifest conflict and interfere in foreign elections. Specifically, Russian interference within the 2016 United States presidential election presents a case that brought into question the safety of democratic states in the face of such technological threats. Similarly, the Colonial Pipeline Hack in 2021 serves as a salient reminder of how vulnerable we are to such attacks. Additionally, we may consider China’s unwavering use of autonomous drones to surveil and potentially attack targets in the South China Sea. Given these advancements, NATO must pivot and center on ways to ensure that effective policies against technologically-buttressed hybrid warfare tactics are not only in place, but that other countries are able to compete developmentally with this surge in threats. The need for advanced technological competency regarding hybrid warfare is exemplified in Yemen, as non-state actors such as Houthi rebels have acquired military drone equipment that significantly magnify the loss of life. These drones are equipped with AI technology, which enables them to make decisions independently without human intervention, further raising concerns over the potential for these drones to cause unintended harm to civilian populations and the difficulty in attributing responsibility for any resulting damage. Aside from the example of artificial intelligence, the use of hybrid warfare backdrops the majority of ongoing political conflicts. We may consider this from the perspective of public manipulation, space exploration, and debt trapping as well. Recent examples in the Asia-Pacific region include China's use of "gray zone” tactics to exert pressure on Taiwan, including military intimidation, economic pressure, and disinformation campaigns. In Europe, Russia's hybrid warfare tactics have been on display through its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, including the use of "little green men", cyber attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, and the dissemination of propaganda through state-run media outlets. The goal of this committee will therefore be to address the inherent dangers within technologically-driven and economically strategized hybrid warfare, with a focus on prevalent conflicts ongoing in Eastern Europe and Asia, in addition to the rest of the world.

Director’s Letter

Dear Delegates,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Regional Body for the 2024 session of Harvard National Model United Nations! It is an honor for me to assume the role of your Director, and I am excited about the prospect of collaborating with all of you to tackle challenges and find solutions during our time together.

My name is Natalia Lopez. I am a rising junior at Harvard living in Dunster House, and I plan on concentrating in Economics with a secondary in Government. To many, Model United Nations may simply be a competitive conference concerning all things sociopolitical; however, to those who have had the privilege to engage in this intellectually rigorous and fruitful experience, this forum is a formidable incubator of relevant solutions to the most pressing global issues of the day, bitingly articulate dialogue, and leadership opportunities. My passion for the activity was born the instant I set foot in my first local conference in sixth grade, and this will now be my ninth year actively participating in the world of Model United Nations (MUN). Throughout my high school and college years, I have partaken in a variety of conferences, both as a delegate and a chair. Aside from being the president of my high school team, I was the Rapporteur in the General Assembly of the Miami Dade Middle School 2018 conference, the Chair of UN Women in the Miami Dade Middle School 2019 conference, and the Chair of the Security Council in an international highschool conference in Spain called MUN Bilbao in 2020. This past year, I served as an Assistant Director for GA SOCHUM on the topic of Human Trafficking for the 2023 HNMUN conference. Through all these years, MUN has taught me that a great leader not only shares their vision, but inspires others to find their own, and I wish to promote that notion throughout our discussion in committee.

Aside from Model UN, one of my primary areas of interest is the intersection of law and government. During my gap year in 2021, I had the privilege of serving as an intern and scheduling assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives. The summer of 2022, I furthered my knowledge of this realm through an internship with the Latin American division of DLA Piper. Moreover, I had the opportunity to develop my research and critical thinking skills through a role in the Harvard Undergraduate Foreign Policy Institute in 2022, where I worked with a team of students to research, co-author, and present an extensive guide on U.S.-Middle Eastern Arms Sales for the U.S. State Department. Aside from my work in economics and government, I am also an active participant and executive board member of Harvard Poker Club, which I will continue to participate in as co-president during the 2023-2024 academic year. This summer, I am grateful to be interning for the Honorable Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy, an opportunity I hope to balance with travel and spending time with my close friends and family.

For this conference, the regional body NATO will center on the issue of hybrid warfare, a particularly prevalent topic considering our increasing technological entrenchment and ongoing global conflicts. Hybrid warfare is a growing threat in today's world, with nations using a blend of traditional and non-traditional tactics to achieve their objectives. From an economic and social standpoint, we must carefully consider the targeted use of propaganda, cyberattacks, and indirect forces in order to protect countries’ sovereignty, politics, and security. Throughout our committee sessions, we will consider various regional case studies, with a focus on Eastern Europe and East Asia. In our digital age, where the lines between peace and conflict are blurred, the ability to adapt to hybrid warfare will be crucial for countries to protect their citizens and maintain their security, politically and economically.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns, I am here to support you throughout every stage, and I look forward to engaging with you all!

Sincerely,

Natalia