Cybersecurity and International Relations: Power, Sovereignty, and Global Security

Abstract

Cybersecurity has emerged as a critical dimension of international relations, challenging traditional notions of power, sovereignty, and global security. This study examines how cyber deterrence, cyber norms, and the activities of state and non-state actors shape strategic behavior in cyberspace. Using a qualitative, case study–based methodology, the paper analyzes high-profile cyber incidents, including Stuxnet, SolarWinds, and major ransomware attacks, drawing on policy documents, academic literature, and think tank reports. The findings indicate that cyber deterrence remains fragile due to challenges in attribution, strategic ambiguity, and asymmetry of capabilities. The evolution of cyber norms is uneven, reflecting contestation between open internet advocates and proponents of cyber sovereignty. Non-state actors, including hacktivists and cybercriminals, further complicate state-centric governance and challenge traditional sovereignty. The study concludes that cybersecurity requires multi-dimensional strategies integrating resilience, norm-building, public-private cooperation, and international collaboration. Theoretical insights from realism, liberal institutionalism, and constructivism inform policy recommendations aimed at enhancing cyber stability and global security.