3044/2026/WEB 'Hybrid warfare – terrorism nexus: Emerging challenges for law enforcement regarding state-sponsored proxy networks'

The aim of this webinar is to enhance law enforcement preparedness to identify, investigate and disrupt state-sponsored proxy networks operating terrorist activities within hybrid threat environments. The session will examine the crime–terror nexus, including emerging models such as the recruitment and exploitation of disposable agents, the use of proxy structures linked to state actors such as Iran and Russia, and the instrumentalisation of disinformation, social media manipulation, migration flows and societal tensions to destabilise societies on the rear.

By the end of this webinar, the audience will be able to:

• Identify key strategic characteristics, actors and operational patterns associated with state-sponsored terrorism and proxy networks, including their role within broader hybrid threat campaigns;
• Analyse the evolving crime–terror nexus, including the recruitment and exploitation of disposable agents, organised crime groups and other non-state actors by foreign state actors to conduct violent and disruptive activities while preserving deniability;
• Recognise how state and proxy actors may exploit disinformation, social media manipulation, migration flows and societal tensions to sparkle violence and support destabilisation objectives and amplify the impact of hybrid operations;
• Assess the main investigative, intelligence and cross-border cooperation challenges posed by state-sponsored terrorism through proxy networks and identify opportunities for coordinated law enforcement responses to detect, investigate and disrupt such activities;
• Discuss recent case studies and lessons learnt.

This activity is implemented by the CEPOL Knowledge Centre on Counter-terrorism.