Final answer:
Hybrid warfare is an evolution of conflict that includes political, conventional, irregular, and cyber warfare. The rise of autonomy in warfare aims to reduce soldier and civilian casualties but also introduces challenges such as cyber-infiltration. Defense against these pervasive forms of conflict is becoming essential in this new age of warfare.
Step-by-step explanation:
Unlike traditional war that focuses on control of an adversary's territory, hybrid warfare represents a multifaceted approach combining conventional, irregular, and cyber warfare tactics. The use of autonomy and robotics will be prevalent on the battlefield, allowing commanders to maintain operations with minimal human intervention, thereby reducing the risk to soldiers and potentially innocents.
However, hybrid warfare also blurs the lines between military and non-military strategies, incorporating elements such as disinformation and cyber-infiltration that can threaten a country's internal stability. With the technological evolution, including drones and missile systems, militaries can engage from great distances, while cyberspace has become a new front for confrontation. The challenge then becomes defending against these less conventional and more pervasive forms of conflict that extend beyond the battlefield into the realms of society and infrastructure.
Total war, as defined, no longer discriminates between military and civilian, calling for all resources to be mobilized. The advancement into hybrid warfare further intensifies this dynamic, making it a complex and all-encompassing form of conflict, affecting various aspects of a state's functioning and security.