US reassessment of Russian cyber threat signals strategic shift in cyber geopolitics

The Trump administration is shifting its stance by no longer recognising Russia as a significant cyber threat to US national security, deviating from previous intelligence assessments. This change is communicated by the speech of the US representative at the United Nations, which omits Russia from the list of cyber threats alongside China and Iran. This repositioning aligns with ongoing efforts to improve US-Russia relations, contrasting starkly with European allies’ views on the threat Russia poses.
A coordinated US effort to combat Russian sabotage and hybrid warfare has stalled since Trump took office, raising concerns among intelligence officials.

The Guardian reports on the shift in the USA digital diplomacy with a major impact on global cyber geopolitics. After rumours of dropping Russia as a cyber threat, the first public signal on this shift was the USA’s statement at the UN working group meeting on cybersecurity when Liesyl Franz, a US representative, did not indicate Russia as a cyber threat alongside China and Iran. It is a significant shift in the USA digital diplomacy and cyber geopolitics.

The US representative also omitted usual USA references to allies and partners in cyber politics. The Guardian reports on various concerns of this shift, including a view of James Lewis, USA cybersecurity veteran: ‘It’s incomprehensible to give a speech about threats in cyberspace and not mention Russia, and it’s delusional to think this will turn Russia and the FSB [the Russian security agency] into our friends.’

This repositioning aligns with ongoing efforts to improve US-Russia relations, contrasting starkly with European allies’ views on the threat posed by Russia. It remains to be seen if this shift relates only to cybersecurity or it the US will revisit other aspects related to AI and digital governance.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.