# Hybrid warfare and disinformation threats > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hybrid-warfare-and-disinformation-threats > Updated: 2026-10-26T17:35:45.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. Military leadership and experts have raised concerns regarding the evolution of hybrid warfare, emphasizing that modern threats extend beyond physical infrastructure to target democratic processes and social cohesion. General Carmine Masiello, Chief of Staff of the Italian Army, identified the smartphone as a primary vector for attacks designed to trigger emotional responses and manipulate public perception. He noted that while sabotage of undersea cables and satellites remains a concern, the core objective of hybrid strategies is to undermine national unity through election interference and disinformation. Further analysis by experts such as Sönke Marahrens suggests that foreign actors may support opposing sides of single issues to incite confrontation, potentially transitioning digital mobilization into real-world violence. While some observers highlight the scale of pro-Russian disinformation campaigns, others caution that Western media narratives may sometimes attribute unexplained incidents to espionage without conclusive evidence. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-26: Hybrid warfare and disinformation strategies analyzed Experts discuss the dangers of hybrid warfare, noting how disinformation and cyberattacks can manipulate social groups and escalate into real-world violence and instability. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hybrid-warfare-and-disinformation-strategies-analyzed ### 2026-10-21: General Carmine Masiello warns of hybrid warfare threats Italian Army Chief of Staff Carmine Masiello warns that hybrid warfare targets citizens via smartphones to undermine democracy through disinformation and election interference. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/general-carmine-masiello-warns-of-hybrid-warfare-threats --- Cite as: Hybrid warfare and disinformation threats. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hybrid-warfare-and-disinformation-threats