Enter the Age of Csywar: Some Reflections on an Emergent Trend

Authors

Kumar Ramakrishna, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Abstract

This article uses the current Russian-Ukrainian conflict as a jumping-off point for a broader, preliminary reflection on the continuing evolution of war in the digital age. It is the contention here that we are witnessing an emergent phenomenon of what we might call csywar. Intervening states engaged in csywar—best understood as an indirect, hybrid strategy—seek to attain data, infrastructural, and epistemic dominance over the target state. This article discusses various defensive counter-csywar strategies that target states could pursue, such as fostering data, infrastructural, and epistemic resilience internally, and makes the case for developing deterrent counter-csywar capabilities against hostile intervening states.

Recommended Citation

Ramakrishna, Kumar (2022) "Enter the Age of Csywar: Some Reflections on an Emergent Trend," New England Journal of Public Policy: Vol. 34: Iss. 2, Article 5.
Available at: https://scholarworks.umb.edu/nejpp/vol34/iss2/5