“Just a cyberattack…”: An Evaluation of the Ethics of Western Cyber Operations using Just War Theory

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International Relations (MA)

van Hoeve, Simon (2021)

“Just a cyberattack…”: An Evaluation of the Ethics of Western Cyber Operations using Just War Theory

Master thesis | International Relations (MA)

Cyberspace is increasingly establishing itself as a domain where malicious actors can achieve quick, asymmetric strategic gains. In response to this trend, many Western states are increasingly turning to offensive cyber operations to ward off or respond to these events. However, a key question dominating this turn by the West is how ethical, or just, conflict by the West in cyberspace really is. Using a Just War Theory lens, this thesis explores the extent to which modern, Western cyber operation abide by the Jus Ad Bellum principles of Just War Theory. Ultimately, this thesis finds that many Western cyber operations do not abide by an idealized ‘gold standard’ of JWT for cyber: however, there is room for improvement in the future.