Cyber-weapons in nuclear counter-proliferation |
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Authors: | Doreen Horschig |
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Institution: | 1. School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA doreenhorschig@knights.ucf.edu |
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Abstract: | ABSTRACT Under what conditions are cyber-weapons effective in nuclear counter-proliferation? With continued interest in nuclear proliferation professed by Iran, North Korea, and Saudi Arabia, a discussion of the effectiveness of counter-proliferation measures remains relevant. Cyber-attacks as military option in a state-on-state conflict still requires additional corroborating evidence to make conclusions about its long-term effectiveness. This work analyses the general applicability of cyber-weapons and their usefulness in nuclear counter-proliferation. Through a comparative case study of Operation Orchard, Stuxnet, and recent “Left-of-Launch” operations against North Korea, the essay finds that cyber-operations are not particularly effective against nuclear programmes that are in the later stages of their development. They can disrupt and delay a nuclear programme temporarily, if the attack remains clandestine, but cannot halt nuclear proliferation all together. However, effectiveness increases if they are used in combination with conventional weapons. The article addresses a topic of interest to national-level decision-makers: whether cyber-operations can and should play a role in nuclear counter-proliferation. |
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Keywords: | Nuclear counter-proliferation nuclear weapons cyber-weapons Stuxnet operation Orchard left-of-launch operations |
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