The Arms Race in Cyberspace

A rash of hacks, leaks, and ransomware attacks by Russia, North Korea, and other hostile governments have raised the alarm in Western capitals – not least because many of the attacks exploit digital weapons developed by Western governments themselves. How can the world be prevented from sleepwalking toward cyber warfare?

• Carl Bildt argues that governments are mistaken if they think that the best defense is a good offense. 
• Joseph Nye advocates norms to protect core functions, but opposes an overarching UN treaty. 
• Guy Verhofstadt warns that Russia is not playing by the rules, and that Europeans do not fully comprehend the threat.  
• Nouriel Roubini worries that financial markets are ignoring the possibility of "black swan” events such as a North Korean cyber attack.