Gray zone operations are reshaping global security

In the middle of the night, with no witnesses, a single ship flagged out of Hong Kong drags its anchor across the Baltic Sea. In silence, it severs a vital gas pipeline and the digital cables that link northern capitals. By morning, millions lose connectivity, financial transactions stall, and energy grids flicker on the edge. The culprit vanishes behind flags of convenience, leaving blame circulating in diplomatic circles while Moscow and others look on, exploiting maritime ambiguity and the vulnerabilities of Europe’s lifelines.

Gray zone operations are reshaping global security, former CIA Assistant Director for South and Central Asia Dave Pitts says.

From the Baltic to the South China Sea, adversaries exploit ambiguity and technology to weaken Western resolve and challenge international norms.

Read more at The Cipher Brief