German security agencies are collaborating for the first time to produce a joint assessment of “hybrid threats” encompassing activities such as sabotage, espionage, disinformation campaigns and state-sponsored terrorism attributed to nations including Russia.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Verfassungsschutz) and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), aims to compile “operative intelligence” regarding these evolving phenomena. The resulting report is slated for presentation to the Interior Minister Conference by Autumn, according to a response from the German government to a parliamentary inquiry by the Green Party, as reported by “Der Spiegel”.
While acknowledging the collaborative effort, Green Party security expert Konstantin von Notz expressed concerns that the scope of the assessment remains insufficient. He argues that a truly comprehensive and cross-departmental overview – essential for the timely detection, analysis and prevention of attacks on critical infrastructure, businesses and military installations – is currently lacking.
Von Notz emphasized the need for an overarching “total situational picture” incorporating intelligence from both federal and state entities, as well as information from civilian and military sources. “Only by precisely recognizing threats can we effectively counter them” he stated.
The number of suspected acts of sabotage originating from Russia has reportedly increased significantly since the commencement of the war in Ukraine, highlighting a growing concern within German security circles.
