Journal de génie électrique et de technologie électronique

Strategic Deterrence in the 21st Century: Dampening Momentum to Achieve Stability

Christopher Thomas Kuklinski

This discussion focuses on extending deterrence principles beyond the 20th Century nuclear paradigm to address challenges within the space and cyberspace domains. It opens with the post-Cold War era, proceeds to explore the attributes of deterrence; conducts a comprehensive overview of the space and cyberspace domains; applies deterrence principles to assure the peaceful uses of the space and cyberspace domains; and concludes with a discussion on the erosion of protections for noncombatants through the evolution of warfare from the Industrial Age to the Information Age. The author posits that in order to counter the effects of a constant state of war, deterrence in space and cyberspace must be executed as a campaign through all phases of conflict. The fundamental strategy of this campaign is to assume a position of strength. This is achieved by building a resilient architecture supporting both space and cyberspace domains. This architecture includes a complementary set of offensive and defensive capabilities intended to make the cost of engagement exceed the intended benefits.