Belgian Defense Minister Says Europe Not Ready to Respond to Hybrid Threats

Belgium's Defense Minister Theo Francken has said that European countries are not adequately prepared to respond to hybrid threats, arguing that the continent has focused for years on social welfare programs and soft power rather than building up its defensive capabilities, according to TASS.

Francken's remarks point to a broader debate within European policy circles about the continent's readiness to counter forms of aggression that fall short of conventional military conflict, including cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, sabotage, and other hybrid tactics.

According to the minister, decades of prioritizing social spending and diplomatic influence over military and security investment have left European nations exposed to threats that require different kinds of preparedness than traditional defense planning has emphasized.

The comments come amid heightened concern across Europe regarding hybrid threats, a category that has drawn increasing attention following a series of incidents attributed to state and non-state actors targeting critical infrastructure, communications networks, and public institutions in various European countries.

Francken did not specify in the cited remarks which particular threats or incidents prompted his assessment, nor did he outline specific policy proposals for addressing the gap he described. His comments nonetheless add to a growing chorus of European officials calling for increased investment in defense and security capabilities.

The debate over hybrid threat preparedness has taken on added urgency in recent years as European governments reassess their security postures amid ongoing geopolitical tensions on the continent.