Some of my initial thoughts for @rusi.bsky.social on a seven areas we should keep in mind when assessing the use of cyber capabilities in the context of the US-Israeli operations in Iran + where we should just please drop the 🔮. 🧵

'uncertainty remains over when and how Iranian cyber activity could expand to directly target the US homeland and its allies, although many are already on alert.’ Writes @lmhurel.bsky.social in the latest #RUSICommentary.

'Most governments do not disclose offensive cyber operations. Boasting about capabilities is not the usual game' writes @lmhurel.bsky.social in the latest RUSI Commentary.

🎄Merry Christmas from all of us at RUSI!

Had a marvellous time speaking at Oxford Analytica’s Global Horizons Conference about AI supply chains, tech-trade competition, US-China relations, and the role of AI in the offense-defence balance in cybersecurity w @kellolucas.bsky.social Eduardo Plastino and @tatiabolkvadze.bsky.social.

The Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on cybersecurity recently concluded a five-year negotiation on how nations should behave in cyberspace. Experts who have been tracking these talks offer their insights on the group's progress and what the future holds for the OEWG's goals and themes.

“This innovation equips drones with side-mounted rocket boosters, enabling them to perform abrupt, high-G maneuvers just seconds before a missile or interceptor strikes. The result: a dramatic increase in the odds that these drones can evade destruction and complete their missions.”

'Cyber attribution is rarely a binary decision. States do not simply jump from silence to confrontation' writes @lmhurel.bsky.social in the latest RUSI Commentary on the implications of Singapore calling out a Chinese-linked cyber threat actor group for the first time.

Fiona Hill, a former aide to President Trump, recently returned to her roots in northeastern England, advising Britain on defense. She still has her eye on global threats.

Had a great time sitting down with @ciaranm.bsky.social @euben.bsky.social to discuss ‘The Evolution of Chinese Cyber Statecraft’ in a conversation chaired by Conrad Prince. The recording of our @rusi.bsky.social event is now available here: www.rusi.org/research-eve...

The UK’s new National Security Strategy reaffirms its ambition to spend 5% of GDP on natsec in line with NATO—but beyond headlines, what’s actually changing in UK security thinking? My @rusi.bsky.social colleagues and I unpack the narratives on cyber, military, economic, and geopolitical strategy.👇🏻

The UK’s new National Security Strategy reaffirms its ambition to spend 5% of GDP on natsec in line with NATO—but beyond headlines, what’s actually changing in UK security thinking? My @rusi.bsky.social colleagues and I unpack the narratives on cyber, military, economic, and geopolitical strategy.👇🏻

Iran executed Mohammad-Amin Mahdavi-Shayesteh, accused of leading “a cyber team linked to Mossad under the guise of an immigration consultancy, and reportedly met Mossad agents in a neighbouring country.” on.ft.com/4eeUBjj

A better quality version of the cartoon

I (almost) entirely agree with this. A lot, but not all of the narrative around AI is hype. Caveat: I’m not an AI specialist but like a lot of cyber experts I get annoyed with AI hype distracting people from fixing long-standing problems with the tech we already have. Anyway. A few thoughts: 🧵 1/

A timely piece on the cyber/hybrid dimensions of Operation Sindoor by Sameer Patil for @rusi.bsky.social. "The recent conflict between 🇮🇳🇵🇰was another instance of cyber warfare in parallel w kinetic attacks, w increased activity in the info space." www.rusi.org/explore-our-...

Predatory Sparrow has dumped the Nobitex crytpo platform source code on Telegram They previously stole $90mil worth of assets in a hack yesterday t.me/gonjeshkdara...

Super interesting to see how Trump’s second term has been legitimising or at least stimulating a sort of ‘Silicon Valley patriotism’. US army’s new ‘Detachment 201’ initiative is recruiting senior tech executives to serve part-time in the Army Reserve. www.army.mil/article/2863...

📺No longer a Western monopoly, public cyber attribution is now used by diverse nations like China, Iran, Venezuela, and Ethiopia for their own strategic gains. @lmhurel.bsky.social explores how their clashing narratives risk eroding trust in fostering responsible cyberspace behaviour: bit.ly/4jovhZ2

Just read a CTI/threat actor blog that used the word "sophisticated" FOUR TIMES in the first paragraph.

To truly grasp responsible cyber behaviour, we must look beyond UN discussions and Western perspectives, taking into account the significant influence of cultural values, regional alliances, and domestic factors. Our new paper by @lmhurel.bsky.social offers that broader conceptual lens.

🧵🚨New RUSI paper, "New Ways to Frame Responsible Cyber Behaviour Beyond the UN", by @lmhurel.bsky.social, which argues that understanding Responsible Cyber Behaviour (RCB) requires looking beyond the UN framework is out now!

China’s rare earths controls prompt fears of auto shortages and shutdowns “It’s a form of retaliation where the 🇨🇳 government can say ‘OK, we’re not going to go tit-for-tat any more on the tariff rate but we will hurt you 🇺🇸 & incentivise companies to plead to change tariff policy’” on.ft.com/42ujjqk

OpenAI and SoftBank weigh UK investment for Stargate AI project. While the focus remains on American infrastructure, investment in the UK has been considered as part of a future international expansion if the project proves successful. on.ft.com/4jEgsCh

Me every time a new piece of news comes out

Big update on the search for an alternative to Starlink in Ukraine. www.reuters.com/business/med...

"Some territories face even higher tariffs than their governing nations. Norfolk Island, an Australian territory in the South Pacific Ocean, faces 29 percent tariffs, compared with the 10 percent rate Mr. Trump imposed on the country."

I’m a great fan of @therecordmedia.bsky.social Click Here podcast. The lastest one with former NSA/USCYBERCOM chief Paul Nakasone is a must. He reflects on the rising sophistication of Chinese threat actors and the role of AI in boosting cyber defence. therecord.media/nakasone-int...

Govs, companies, & CSOs are heading to Paris this week for the 2nd meeting of the Pall Mall Process to discuss a code of practice to tackle the irresponsible use of commercial cyber capabilities. We brought together a group of experts to reflect on what to expect from the meeting.👇

Glad to see this important report come to life & to have contributed a chapter on the Middle East & Africa. Thanks to all the researchers & practitioners who joined our regionally-focused workshops & to the fantastic @lmhurel.bsky.social & the @rusi.bsky.social team for making this happen!

In the latest #RUSICommentary, @lmhurel.bsky.social and Rogier Creemers explore the limitations of using purely economic tools to counter China's growing influence in the digital sphere.

🎙2025 is a pivotal year for international cyber governance. It marks both the tenth anniversary of the global framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace and the conclusion of the UN Open-Ended Working Group on ICTs.

To learn more about how countries have implemented responsible cyber behaviour amidst these significant developments, check out the newest podcast from ASPI, where RUSI's @lmhurel.bsky.social shares her insights.

Very much in line with the dynamics at the OEWG UN negotiations in NY last week—all the 🇺🇸naming and shaming focused on 🇨🇳. “Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered U.S. Cyber Command to halt offensive operations against Russia.” www.nytimes.com/2025/03/02/u...

New: At least 8 lawsuits are trying to block DOGE from accessing sensitive govt data, from tax returns to student-loan records. All of them rely in part on the Privacy Act of 1974. But what is this law — and can it stop Elon Musk? My @wired.com story: www.wired.com/story/privac...

More DOGE-driven job cuts today at CISA, where folks defend civilian government and critical infrastructure from nation-state hackers and ransomware gangs. More than 100, across many teams.

European Commission announced InvestAI initiative to mobilise €200 for AI investments. Arguably “the largest public-private partnership in the world for the development of trustworthy AI.” The initiative will finance four AI gigafactories across the EU. ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

Arm’s CEO on the future of AI and why he does not fear DeepSeek on.ft.com/4hNB0aA

✨ New book (and chapter!) out! It was a pleasure to collaborate with Heli Tiirmaa-Klaar, James Lewis, Andrea Salvi and many other colleagues in the lead up to this new book! Thank you for the opportunity to contribute w the chapter "Cyber Diplomacy in Latin America” @euiss.bsky.social

🚨 NEW REPORT 🚨 In 'Responsible cyber behaviour in the Indo-Pacific', Gatra Priyandita and Louise Marie Hurel urge the international community to broaden its understanding of responsible cyber behaviour by incorporating diverse perspectives from the Indo-Pacific. 🔖 Read it now ↪️ bit.ly/40sHoNq

How do Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan and Taiwan define ‘responsible’ cyber behaviour? Read our new report with @aspi-org.bsky.social, (edited by Gatra Priyandita and @lmhurel.bsky.social) that examines Indo-Pacific perspectives on responsible behaviour: bit.ly/42zNmyy

New from @lmhurel.bsky.social @rusi.bsky.social and Gatra Priyandita from @aspi-org.bsky.social on responsible cyber behaviour in the Indo-Pacific. Case studies comprise Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan and Taiwan - exploring how they pursue their interests in cyberspace. See 👇🌏

🚨🧵Check out our new report with @aspi-org.bsky.social, ‘Responsible cyber behaviour in the Indo-Pacific’, which i edited by Gatra Priyandita and @lmhurel.bsky.social. Here’s what you need to know 👇

I had a lot of fun recording today at @rusi.bsky.social for the next installment of our joint #Cyber #Statecraft series! Stay tuned! Thank you @lmhurel.bsky.social and the team! #BehindTheScene

Trump said on Sunday that he would issue an executive order to stall a federal ban of TikTok, but time to “make a deal to protect…national security”, and no liability for companies that “helped keep TikTok from going dark before” the EO. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/19/t...

📯 New @rusi.bsky.social event 📯 We're hosting @maxwsmeets.bsky.social to discuss his new book on ransomware. He'll be joined by James Babbage, the Director General for Threats at the NCA and the first Commander of the National Cyber Force. 1730-1900, 6 February my.rusi.org/events/the-r...

Brussels orders X to hand over documents on algorithm https://www.ft.com/content/a6dc562c-4fa0-4ec6-9f3a-ad3be594bc7c

A full-on start of the year for our @rusi.bsky.social cyber team! Check out our latest series of explainers on cyber statecraft in an era of systemic competition. This first one w @abarrinha.bsky.social unpacks the concept. Check it out! 👇🏻 More our project here: www.rusi.org/explore-our-...

Zuckerberg’s speech last week is only the tip of the iceberg. This excellent FT piece is yet another must-read that shows a deeper and, in some cases, gradual shift to the please (or shield) from MAGA criticism. Is corporate America going Maga? on.ft.com/40fghFp

Outgoing CIA Director William Burns says Volt Typhoon is a reminder of the threats posed by both China and "a revolution in technology" that's "unlike anything we've seen since the Industrial Revolution." The CIA's China funding has tripled and is now 20% of its total budget.