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Home > Open Access Journals > JSS > Vol. 17 > No. 3 (2024)

 

Author Biography

Dr Maurizio Geri is a senior strategic analyst in international security and global affairs and also an Italian Navy Lieutenant, Selected Reservist as POLAD.

Dr Geri has more than twenty years of experience with NGOs, academia, think tanks, and international institutions. He is a former analyst for different NATO bodies, including CMRE in Italy, ACT in the US, and HQ in Brussels.

Dr Geri has been awarded a EU Marie Curie Postdoc fellowship 2024/2026 (2024 at GMU in Washington DC, 2025 at GMF and VUB in Brussels, 2026 at Ca’ Foscari University in Venice) to research the EU-NATO cooperation in technology to counter Russian-Chinese hybrid warfare, in particular in the energy-resources-climate security nexus.

Dr Geri holds a PhD in International Security from Old Dominion University in Virginia/US, a MA in Cultural Studies, and a BA in International Relations from the University of Florence, Italy. He published a book (https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-75574-8) and several op-eds/journalistic articles.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5038/1944-0472.17.3.2270

Subject Area Keywords

Defense policy, Energy security, Europe and EU, Russia, Security policy, War studies

Abstract

To avoid escalations to full kinetic (military) wars is imperative to win the non-kinetic part of the so-called “hybrid warfare”, which use both kinetic and non-kinetic methods. The goal of the non-kinetic methods of hybrid warfare, or as others call it “grey zone” activities, or “subthreshold” tactics, is to defeat hearts and minds, as well as pockets, of adversaries, with social, political, and economic tools. This article focuses on energy as the crucial sector of the economic tools, and specifically uses an innovative approach, what the author calls the ‘energy-resources-climate security nexus’, as a new battleground for future strategic competition and hybrid warfare between Europe, Russia and other rivals.

Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine Putin engaged Europe with non-military hybrid warfare. The hybrid warfare tactics employed by Russia especially in the energy sector have posed challenges the EU and NATO, who were unprepared but two organizations showed resilience and adaptation, starting to fight back. The problem is not only the Western dependence on Russian energy but also how the green transition pushed by climate change, that could be exploited with hybrid warfare. In the future is important to increase NATO-EU cooperation to fight other rivals too, like China, that could use new hybrid threats, especially because of the energy transition.

Disclaimer

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Acknowledgements

Funded by the European Union MSCA (GA number 101105349).

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