Virtual Weapon and International Order

The rapidly expanding cyberspace poses both opportunities and challenges for international order. This book offers a new theoretical framework to understand and address the effects of cyber incidents on international relations, drawing on case studies such as Stuxnet, Sony Pictures, and the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 01 May 2018
Publisher: Yale University Press

The cyber revolution is a transformative force that is reshaping the world as we know it. The rapid expansion of cyberspace has brought both immense opportunities and significant challenges to international order. While it has facilitated new modes of political cooperation and economic growth, it has also disrupted interstate relations and empowered subversive actors who can launch diplomatic and military crises. Despite the significant experience with cyber incidents, the conceptual framework to analyze, understand, and address their effects on international order remains primitive.

In this important work, Lucas Kello adapts and applies international relations theory to create new ways of thinking about cyber strategy. Kello draws on a broad range of case studies, including the Stuxnet operation against Iran, the cyberattacks against Sony Pictures, and the disruption of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, to make sense of the contemporary technological revolution. By synthesizing data from government documents, forensic reports of major events, and interviews with senior decision-makers, Kello establishes new theoretical benchmarks that can help security experts revise strategy and policy for the unprecedented challenges of our era.

The cyber revolution is not just a technological issue; it is a geopolitical one. The implications of cyber incidents can have far-reaching consequences for international security and stability. For example, the Stuxnet operation against Iran's nuclear program not only disrupted the country's nuclear development but also raised concerns about the potential for cyberattacks to trigger physical conflicts. Similarly, the cyberattacks against Sony Pictures and the disruption of the 2016 U.S. presidential election highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the potential for cyberattacks to influence political outcomes.

To address these challenges, Kello proposes a comprehensive approach that involves both defensive and offensive measures. He emphasizes the importance of building strong cyber capabilities and developing a robust response infrastructure to mitigate the effects of cyber incidents. At the same time, he advocates for proactive measures to deter and counter cyber threats, such as cyber espionage, cyber sabotage, and cyber warfare.

Kello's work is a valuable contribution to the field of cyber strategy. It provides a comprehensive framework for analyzing and understanding the effects of cyber incidents on international order and offers practical recommendations for revising strategy and policy. By adapting and applying international relations theory to the realm of cyber security, Kello has helped to establish new theoretical benchmarks that can guide security experts in navigating the complex and rapidly evolving landscape of cyber threats.

In conclusion, the cyber revolution is a transformative force that is reshaping the world as we know it. While it has brought immense opportunities, it has also posed significant challenges to international order. By adapting and applying international relations theory to the realm of cyber security, Lucas Kello has helped to establish new theoretical benchmarks that can guide security experts in navigating the complex and rapidly evolving landscape of cyber threats. It is essential that we continue to invest in research and development to enhance our understanding of the cyber revolution and develop effective strategies to mitigate its effects on international order.

Weight: 426g
Dimension: 216 x 139 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300234497