You don't have to be in a shooting war to have an adversary who means you no good. Think about a neighbor who moves your fence line, helps himself to your garden produce, and tells lies about you to other neighbors who then stop waving at you. Your enemy entices your teenaged children into destructive behaviors, convinces your spouse that everything you think you stand for is a lie.
These are the tools of hybrid war. Guns and bombs are not always involved in a struggle between countries, except in later stages or as means of intimidation. There may be skirmishes, proxy wars against weaker allies, and boundary encroachments, but the primary weapons of hybrid war before the shooting begins is intelligence. Sleight of hand, disinformation, assets with influence, and penetration agents play a crucial role in the struggle against a target. These intelligence operations are designed to confuse, disorient, and destabilize the enemy prior to conquest.
Sun Tzu considered unity of command and purpose to be one of the five pillars of a successful campaign. Dividing and demoralizing the population and troops of an enemy with rumors and whisper campaigns has always been a cost effective prelude to invasion. Sabotage adds distraction and fear. With our dependence on computer systems to control everything from keeping the lights on to feeding the people, an enemy need not leave the comfort and security of his own headquarters to cause serious damage.
Major grocery stores in the United States are at this moment experiencing cyber attacks. The problems will resolve only to be replaced by other disruptions. Pay attention to these.
The forces arrayed against us do not all march proudly behind tanks and missiles in May Day parades. They skulk into homes and minds with lies and confusion.
This is not a wild conspiracy theory. Hybrid war is a popular means of aggression in the age of weapons of mass destruction. The best defense for all of us—besides the pros whose job is to keep enemy spooks at bay—is truth. Seek it. Check everything, even the stuff you like to hear. It may indeed be too good to be true.