What Military Deterrence cannot do, Cyber Deterrence can do to Iran: Exploring the Implications of Manipulative Incessant Usage of the Term ‘Pre-Emptive’

Does international politics today face a crisis in conceptual clarity? Curiously so.The Israeli threat ofpre-emptivemilitary strikes against Iran for its currenturanium enrichment program is essentially a threat ofpreventiveattack inanticipation of a probable security riskin the distant future. Conversely, it is Iranwhich faces an imminent threat from Israel and can resort topre-emptivemeasureson grounds of self-defense. This terminologicalconfusion is a politicalmanipulation to avail of the exception to the threat or use of force under Article51 of the UN Charter as well as legitimize the exercise ofcyber deterrencethrough Stuxnet and Flame viruses.Cyber deterrence must be the latestadditionto the conventional military deterrence strategies as it embodies the threat ofUnilaterally inflicted Assured Destruction (UAD), particularly through cyber war.Sincecyber wars can transform conflicts or wars into asymmetrical battles forpower,they can dangerously impede self-defense. Thus, the internationalcommunityshouldunanimously consent to abandon the use of cyber deterrencestrategiesfor a peaceful and safe present and future