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.”
Biography
Katherine Mansted is a nonresident fellow, with a focus on emerging technologies, cybersecurity, and the Asia-Pacific. Her research explores the impact of the information revolution on traditional systems—including democracy, national defense, and international relations. Her publications include work on cyber-enabled foreign interference in Australia, and internet privacy.
Previously, Katherine has practiced law as a commercial solicitor, served as a policy adviser to an Australian Cabinet Minister, and served as an Associate to a Justice of the High Court of Australia.
Katherine holds a Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, and a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honors and a Bachelor of International Relations from Bond University.
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