Decision-making Pragmatism in the Context of Hybrid-type Aggression

Authors

  • Diana-Elena CHIRILĂ Direcția Instruire și Doctrină, Statul Major al Apărării

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53477/2284-9378-25-30

Keywords:

decision-making pragmatism, hybrid aggression, modern conflicts, cybersecurity, information manipulation, technology and warfare, international cooperation, national resilience.

Abstract

Decision-making pragmatism plays a crucial role in managing hybrid aggression, a complex type of conflict that combines conventional techniques with cyberattacks, information manipulation, and economic pressure. In the face of such a threat, leaders must make swift and flexible decisions, constantly adapting to rapidly changing circumstances. Decision-making pragmatism involves using innovative and effective solutions that integrate technology, informational resources, and collaboration between civilian and military authorities. International cooperation and legislative adaptation are also essential in countering the effects of this type of conflict, given global interdependence. The pragmatic approach focuses on anticipating and responding quickly to unpredictable threats, thereby strengthening both national and international resilience. The conflict in Ukraine serves as a relevant example of the application of these principles, demonstrating the importance of pragmatism in effectively responding to hybrid aggression and contemporary challenges.

Author Biography

Diana-Elena CHIRILĂ, Direcția Instruire și Doctrină, Statul Major al Apărării

Captain Chirila, born in 1992 in Neamț County, Romania, chose a military-oriented educational path from an early age. Between 2007 and 2011, she attended the "Mihai Viteazul" Military High School in Alba Iulia, where she obtained her Bacalaureat diploma.

Her academic journey continued at the “Nicolae Bălcescu” Land Forces Academy in Sibiu, where she completed a Bachelor’s degree in Military Sciences, Intelligence, and Public Order (2011–2014). Subsequently, she pursued a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership (2014–2016) at the same institution, focusing on decision-making skills and analytical competence. This path was further complemented by completing the psycho-pedagogical training module at the University of Bucharest (2013–2014), which strengthened her theoretical and methodological foundation for training and educational processes.

Captain Chirilă’s professional experience includes both command positions and roles with a significant analytical component. She currently serves as a staff officer within the Training and Doctrine Directorate – Exercises Branch, a position that provides her with a broad perspective on the training process at tactical, operational, and strategic levels. Her work in this structure plays a key role in expanding her research scope, particularly through involvement in the planning and assessment of multinational exercises, doctrinal analysis, and the formulation of training concepts.

Her practical expertise has been reinforced through participation in two NATO missions in Afghanistan: in 2017, as a platoon commander in Kandahar, and in 2021, as a company commander in Bagram. These deployments offered concrete opportunities to apply and deepen her theoretical knowledge in real and complex operational environments.

In support of her doctrinal and military research development, she has completed several specialized courses, including: basic, specialization, and advanced courses in Infantry; the Brigades Staff Officer Course organized by the National Defence University “Carol I”; the INTELL FS (Intelligence Functional Specialist) Course, the NATO Exercise Planning Course (HQ RRC-FR, France), which provided access to international methodologies and best practices in training. She also completed French language courses (pre-intermediate and intermediate levels), which support integration in multinational environments and facilitate knowledge exchange.

Since 2024, she has been enrolled in a second Master's program at the National Defence University “Carol I”, specializing in Inter-Arms Command – Land Forces. Her goal is to capitalize on her operational and academic background through advanced platforms for training and research, allowing her to engage in processes of analysis, innovation, and dissemination of knowledge in support of the national defense system.

References

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Published

2025-06-30

How to Cite

CHIRILĂ, D.-E. . (2025). Decision-making Pragmatism in the Context of Hybrid-type Aggression. BULLETIN OF "CAROL I" NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY, 14(2), 285–295. https://doi.org/10.53477/2284-9378-25-30

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Articles

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