Get Your Cyber War On

James Carafano / June 01, 2011

According to an article in The Wall Street Journal, “The Pentagon has concluded that computer sabotage coming from another country can constitute an act of war, a finding that for the first time opens the door for the U.S. to respond using traditional military force.” Since the military has been using computers since World War II, it is pretty remarkable that they are just now getting around to figuring this out.

As defined by the Constitution, it is the government’s job to “provide for the common defense.” Why would the rules in cyberspace be any different?

Of course, not everybody thinks America should defend itself in the event of an act of cyberwar. There are two arguments against self-defense from cyber Pearl Harbors—and they are both pretty stupid. (more…)