WHAT MILITARY DETERRENCE CANNOT DO, CYBER DETERRENCE CAN DO TO IRAN: EXPLORING THE IMPLICATIONS OF MANIPULATIVE INCESSANT USAGE OF THE TERM ‘PREEMPTIVE’

Abstract

Does international politics today face a crisis in conceptual clarity? Curiously so. The Israeli threat of pre-emptive military strikes against Iran for its current uranium enrichment program is essentially a threat of preventive attack in anticipation of a probable security risk in the distant future. Conversely, it is Iran which faces an imminent threat from Israel and can resort to pre-emptive measures on grounds of self-defense. This terminological confusion is a political manipulation to avail of the exception to the threat or use of force under Article 51 of the UN Charter as well as legitimize the exercise of cyber deterrence through Stuxnet and Flame viruses. Cyber deterrence must be the latest addition to the conventional military deterrence strategies as it embodies the threat of Unilaterally inflicted Assured Destruction (UAD), particularly through cyber war. Since cyber wars can transform conflicts or wars into asymmetrical battles for power, they can dangerously impede self-defense. Thus, the international community should unanimously consent to abandon the use of cyber deterrence strategies for a peaceful and safe present and future

Keywords

• Pre-emptive attacks, Preventive attacks, Cyber Deterrence, Cyber War, Unilaterally inflicted Assured Destruction (UAD)

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