The Power of Beliefs in US Cyber Strategy: The Evolving Role of Deterrence, Norms, and Escalation

Abstract

Cyberspace’s role in military power is vociferously debated. But how do these ideas manifest in cyber strategy? In this article, we trace the development of ideas about military cyber power, with a focus on the USA. In particular, we use a decade of US defense cyber strategies as a lens to explore how ideas about the role of the military in promoting cyber norms, the feasibility of cyber deterrence, and the risks of escalation have morphed over time. In doing so, we identify sources of continuity and discontinuity. We then turn to the academic literature to evaluate those ideas and appraise US defense cyber strategies, identifying gaps and tensions. Finally, we leverage these insights to provide recommendations for future US defense cyber strategies.