The overarching question imparting urgency to this exploration is: Can U.S.-Russian contention in cyberspace cause the two nuclear superpowers to stumble into war? In considering this question we were constantly reminded of recent comments by a prominent U.S. arms control expert: At least as dangerous as the risk of an actual cyberattack, he observed, is cyber operations’ “blurring of the line between peace and war.” Or, as Nye wrote, “in the cyber realm, the difference between a weapon and a non-weapon may come down to a single line of code, or simply the intent of a computer program’s user.”
A Panel Discussion With:
GRAHAM ALLISON
Douglas Dillon Professor of Government and Director, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Kennedy School; U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy and Plans (1992-1996)
LINDA BILMES
Lecturer in Public Policy, Kennedy School; U.S. Department of Commerce (1997-2001); Co-Author, "The Economic Cost of the Iraq War: An Appraisal Three Years after the Beginning of the Conflict"
LIEUTENANT GENERAL TAD OELSTROM (Ret.)
Lecturer in Public Policy and Director, National Security Program, Kennedy School; Lieutenant General, United States Air Force (Ret.), Combat Fighter Pilot & Operational Commander
SARAH SEWALL
Lecturer in Public Policy and Director, Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Kennedy School of Government; Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance (1993-1996)
JOSEPH NYE (Moderator)
Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor; Assistant Secretary of Defense, International Security Affairs (1994 - 1995); Chairman, National Intelligence Council (1993-1994)