LIMINAL WAR AND ITS IMPACT ON INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of liminal warfare as a key form of contemporary conflict unfolding in the ambiguous space between peace and war. It demonstrates that liminal warfare is based on the deliberate exploitation of ambiguity, sub-threshold actions, and the integration of military and non-military instruments in order to achieve strategic objectives without escalating to open armed conflict. The study examines the theoretical origins of the concept of liminality, its distinction from hybrid warfare, and its relationship to the notion of the “grey zone” in security studies. Particular attention is paid to the vulnerabilities of democratic states and international organizations arising from legal, political, and institutional constraints on response mechanisms. Through the cases of Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, the article illustrates diverse models of liminal warfare employed under conditions of intensified geopolitical competition. It is argued that liminal warfare undermines collective security mechanisms, erodes international legal norms, and contributes to global instability. The paper also outlines key counter-strategies, including enhanced attribution capabilities, adaptive response thresholds, and whole-of-government resilience. The study concludes that effective responses to liminal warfare constitute one of the central challenges to international security in the twenty-first century.