U.S. Cyber-Warfare Tools Not Likely To Be Used Against Iraq

Apr. 14, 2003

I recently read some information about a portion of our military: Cyber-Warfare. This is a type of attack which devastates computer and communication networks remotely. 

A recent eWeek article highlighted the U.S. military’s cyber-warfare capabilities, but also reported that "security and defense experts say there is little chance the military will use such weapons in the war against Iraq." The reasoning? We just don't know what could happen. 

Some of the considerations mentioned in the article are: questions of the legality of such an attack, doubt over whether the attack can be used as a 'precision' weapon, fear of retaliatory counter-attacks, and that by crossing the cyber-warfare barrier it may legitimize its use by foreign powers. 

This list of qualms is surprisingly similar to the list of reasons why we don't use tactical nuclear weapons. Although many might not consider these weapons to be in the same class, both attacks would be devastating to infrastructure. Imagine what it would be like to suddenly lose banking, telecommunications, and governmental records for example. 

It's wise to be hesitant in crossing this line. If we don't know what will happen if we 'poke the bear' then we shouldn't poke it.