Military Review English Edition May-June 2014 | Page 34

necessary, but changes in the strategic climate are
not as dramatic as some proclaim.
Similarly, some aspects of war change with the
times while its nature remains constant. Clausewitz advised planning should account for the
contemporary character of war.54 Advances in
cyberspace are changing war’s character but not
totally eclipsing traditional means. Sir John Slessor noted, “If there is one attitude more dangerous than to assume that a future war will be just
like the last one, it is to imagine that it will be so
utterly different that we can afford to ignore all
the lessons of the last one.”55 Further, Lonsdale
advised exploiting advances in cyberspace but
not to “expect these changes to alter the nature
of war.”56 Wars will continue to be governed by
politics, affected by chance, and waged by people
even if through cyberspace.57
Do not overpromise. Advocates of wielding
cyberpower must bridle their enthusiasm enough
to see that its utility only exists within a strategic
context. Colin Gray claimed airpower enthusiasts
“all but invited government and the public to
ask the wrong questions and hold air force performance to irrelevant standards of superheroic
effectiveness.”58 By touting decisive, independent,
strategic capabilities, airpower advocates often
failed to meet such hyped expectations in actual
conflicts. Strategic contexts may have occurred
where airpower alone could achieve strategic

effects, but more often, airpower was one of many
tools employed.
Cyberpower is no different. Gray claimed,
“When a new form of war is analyzed and debated,
it can be difficult to persuade prophets that
prospective efficacy need not be conclusive.”59
Cyberpower advocates must recognize not only
its advantages, but also its limitations applied in
a strategic context.

Conclusion

If cyberpower is the potential to use cyberspace
to achieve desired outcomes, then the strategic
context is key to understanding its utility. As
the character of war changes and cyberpower
joins the fight alongside other domains, military
leaders must make sober judgments about what
it can contribute to achieving desired outcomes.
Decision makers must weigh the opportunities
and advantages cyberspace presents against the
vulnerabilities and limit