01264nas a2200205   4500000000100000000000100001008004100002260001600043653001300059653001900072653001900091653001100110653001500121100002400136700001900160245009900179300000900278490000700287520076400294       2018                            d  cWinter 201810aBulgaria10aHybrid threats10ahybrid warfare10aRussia10asoft power1 aStefan Hadjitodorov1 aMartin Sokolov00aBlending New-generation Warfare and Soft Power: Hybrid Dimensions of Russia-Bulgaria Relations  a5-200 v173 a<p>&lt;p&gt;In order to effectively counter hybrid warfare, it is necessary to understand it. However, certain aspects of hybrid warfare are often confused with traditional soft power. This article aims to highlight the differences between the two by analyzing the relationship between Bulgaria and Russia. The latter enjoys considerable opportunities to exercise soft power, but often must accompany them with hybrid means. Yet, labeling everything as hybrid warfare becomes detrimental to the topic itself. Moreover, it runs the risk of ascribing greater power to the Kremlin which may not truly be the case. The aim of the authors is to expose the threats, opportunities, and limits of Russian influence in Bulgaria and the possible outcomes.&lt;/p&gt;</p>