Cyber: The Swiss army knife of tradecraft

This article outlines how cyber operations have become a versatile tool of modern tradecraft, highlighting six advantages (stealth, disruption, manipulation, financial gain, outsourcing, and deniability) and the ease of access to tools and vulnerabilities. It surveys global activity by major nation-states—including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—citing examples like SolarWinds, ransomware financing, and influence operations, while noting the proliferation of state-aligned groups and cyber mercenaries. The piece emphasizes the geopolitical drivers behind cyber activity, the lack of effective deterrence or binding international norms, and calls for greater international cooperation and resilience-building.