Frédérique Morré

Chief Editor, GSIS Newsletter

On October 11th, the Hybrid Threats Dilemma Simulation 2025 brought together students and academics from seven universities across the Indo-Pacific region to explore the dynamics of hybrid warfare. Hosted under the IP4 framework and led by Professor Daryl Bockett of Yonsei University, the event built on last year's NATO-sponsored simulation with expanded participation and more sophisticated scenario design. 

What set this year's simulation apart was its dynamic, data-driven approach. Each team's decisions directly shaped the next phase of the crisis, creating a realistic chain of escalation and response. This sequential format gave participants a genuine sense of how strategic choices cascade through complex security environments.

Participants worked through an interconnected series of hybrid threat scenarios: resource disputes that sparked regional tensions, disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks on nuclear infrastructure, and maritime security crises that evolved into humanitarian emergencies. The interconnected scenarios required teams to think across multiple domains simultaneously, recognizing how actions in one area could trigger unexpected consequences elsewhere.

The simulation focused on practical skill development in crisis management, strategic communication, and negotiation under uncertainty. Participants explored how misinformation shapes conflict dynamics and how coordinated diplomatic responses can help de-escalate crises. The format provided valuable experience in translating theoretical knowledge into operational practice.

The event drew participants from Yonsei University, Deakin University, Hitotsubashi University, University of Canterbury, Victoria University of Wellington, Keio University, and University of Otago, with observers joining from institutions including the Osaka School of International Public Policy. This regional diversity enriched discussions and fostered meaningful inter-university collaboration.

Thanks to organizational support from Associate Dean Professor Jae-Jeok Park and coordination by Joshua Dunn 백준규, Minsun Kim, and Liz Anderson, the simulation created an engaging environment for collaborative learning. As hybrid threats continue to evolve, exercises like this offer students practical experience in understanding the complexities of contemporary international security.