Kristine Grigoryan, head of Armenia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, stated that hybrid threats against Armenia are not only ongoing but are intensifying. She made these remarks during the security forum “Armenia and Peace: at the Crossroads of Risks and Opportunities,” reports Armenpress.
“Hybrid threats are continuing and intensifying. We must accept the sobering reality that these threats will accompany us, much like pandemics. Just as societies adapt to pandemics, getting vaccinated, taking preventive measures, strengthening immune systems, so too must democratic societies build resilience against hybrid threats,” Grigoryan said.
She noted that electoral processes, as predictable democratic mechanisms, can become prime targets for hybrid tactics.
Grigoryan emphasized that countering hybrid tools should not be left solely to security agencies. It requires broad public awareness, responsible behavior, analytical thinking, and measured responses.
“The logic of electoral processes must be expanded to identify where different types of interference can be most active or effective. We believe the component most at risk is political participation in elections, which aligns logically with hybrid tactics, alongside cyber operations targeting vital infrastructure and the logic of democratic electoral processes. These may include economic operations designed to incite or guide voter behavior in the business sector,” she explained.
She also warned that gaps in youth awareness and patriotic sentiment are often manipulated in political processes.
“This year in Armenia, we’ve observed increased targeting of youth—not just in the context of upcoming elections but as part of a much longer-term strategy,” Grigoryan said.
