On the concept of neutrality and its contradictions: The relative neutrality
On the concept of neutrality and its contradictions: The relative neutrality

Summary/Abstract: This paper examines the evolving concept of military neutrality, highlighting its legal, political, and strategic dimensions. Traditionally codified under international law, neutrality requires abstention from armed con-flict, impartiality, and the non-use of territory for belligerent operations. However, membership in military alliances such as NATO fundamentally contradicts these principles because of collective defense obligations and political commitments. The emergence of hybrid warfare, combining conventional, cyber, and unconventional tools, further complicates the application of neutrality by exposing states to ambiguous threats. The study introduces the concept of “relative neutrality,” reflecting partial or domain-specific adherence, and offers a framework for analyzing neutrality in contemporary, complex conflict environments.

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