Generolo Jono Žemaičio Lietuvos karo akademija

This paper examines the role of Special Operations Forces (SOF) in countering hybrid threats within democratic states, focusing on the Slovak Republic as a front-line NATO member. Using qualitative historical-comparative analysis and a review of security doctrines, the study demonstrates that SOF enable effective operations below the threshold of open armed conflict. The central hypothesis posits that SOF effectiveness is not independent of democratic governance but fundamentally dependent upon it: public trust, legal accountability, and robust parliamentary oversight are prerequisites for operational legitimacy. The paper identifies the "Democratic Dilemma" – the tension between operational secrecy and democratic transparency – and proposes a "Democratic Hybrid Defence" model in which oversight and effectiveness are mutually reinforcing. The study contributes to the field by explicitly linking SOF capabilities with civilian control mechanisms in a Central European geopolitical context.

Disinformation is becoming one of the most serious security challenges for the European Union, especially in the context of the deteriorating geopolitical situation. In recent years, disinformation has evolved from a marginal phenomenon to a systematically used tool of influence and manipulation, which disrupts the functioning of democratic societies, undermines trust in democratic values, principles and institutions and destabilizes social cohesion. Both state and non-state actors use disinformation to achieve their political, ideological, security and economic goals without direct military confrontation. The European Union is responding to these threats with comprehensive political, legislative and strategic measures, including the European Democracy Action Plan, the Digital Services Act and the Strategic Compass for Security and Defence, among others. Strengthening societal resilience through the development of media and digital literacy, critical thinking and pluralistic public discourse also plays a key role. The analysis shows that an effective and efficient fight against disinformation necessarily requires a coordinated and broad-spectrum response that respects democratic principles and values, but at the same time minimizes the space for abuse of the information environment.

The paper attempts to highlight of the security crisis measures of internal and external of diplomatic mission before or after exposure of risk. Diplomatic missions represent their country, as an authority and an entity, concerning their diplomatic obligations towards the receiving State. The mission may be exposed to natural events such as earthquakes and floods or manmade events such as breaking thru a location for causing terrorism and electronic espionage. The employees, on their various levels and job positions, devotion to work and loyalty to their country, are the secret of their success in achieving the mission security. Security comes from the inside before being achieved from the outside. Working within a one-team-spirit increases the preparations for facing risk plus the incessant coordination with the receiving State governmental departments for reporting to them about any potential emergency that may occur. This increases the mutual trust between the mission of the guest country and the receiving State in crisis management. The evaluation of maintaining security success is a reflection to the receiving State power, the velocity and wisdom of the procedures taken by the mission of the guest country.