International Quarterly of Foreign Relations

International Quarterly of Foreign Relations

Cyber Geopolitics at the Crossroads of Power: An Analysis of US Cyber Hegemony in Confrontation with China

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mostafa Esmaili 1
amir abbas rokni 2
Seyed Reza Hosseini 3
1 Assistant Professor in International Relations, Supreme National Defense University, Tehran, Iran
2 Ph.D. student in National Security, Supreme National Defense University, Tehran, Iran
3 Master of Regional Studies (North America), Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/fr.2024.453168.1517
Abstract
The United States of America has long been the primary actor in shaping international cyber law norms and global cyberspace governance frameworks, actively engaging in this domain for nearly two decades. However, China's emergence as a key player in the cyber and technology realm has significantly changed the international landscape in recent years. Consequently, America's influence in this sphere appears to be challenged, and its discourse on cyberspace governance is seemingly declining. This profound investigation seeks to elucidate the far-reaching repercussions of the United States' waning assertive power within the intricate tapestry of international law, juxtaposed against the meteoric rise of China's global influence, on the complicated dynamics of global cyber-geopolitics and the evolving paradigm of internet governance. Therefore, This research delves into the factors contributing to the erosion of US cyber power, including the decline of trust and credibility, policy shifts, and challenges in norm creation and enforcement. To this end, a descriptive-analytical approach examines China's growing influence in international cyber law. This entails a comprehensive analysis of its expanding cyber capabilities (espionage, offensive operations, technological advancements), diplomatic assertiveness in shaping global cyber governance frameworks and promoting alternative, state-centric norms aligned with the Communist Party's vision. Our analysis reveals that China's burgeoning cyber capabilities position it as a formidable competitor to the United States. Additionally, its diplomatic assertiveness enables China to advocate for alternative norms and establish itself as a proponent of national independence in cyberspace governance.
Keywords
cyber diplomacy
cyber governance
international norms
United States of America
China

Subjects

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