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A wrench is a weapon in the war against loose bolts. However, most people would probably call it a weapon only when wielded with the intention of hitting another person.

I don't think it's fair to characterize the intention of stuxnet as blowing up reactors. From what I've read, the purposeful damage it was designed to inflict was to disable uranium-enriching equipment. I don't recall reading anything about purposeful attempts to use the software to kill or wound.

That's where I'd draw the line: purposeful killing. So I'd describe this as a case of cyber-sabatoge -- not a case of cyber-war.



Here's an attempt at an outline of an argument that Stuxnet was used to kill or wound. Note that I don't necessarily hold this as my belief.

1. Stuxnet was designed to slow Iran's progress toward developing their own nuclear power (and weapons).

2. Nuclear power is a cleaner alternative to burning fossil fuels.

3. Fossil fuels are the cause of many deaths through pollution, mining accidents, and wars over oilfields.

4. Therefore, by delaying Iran's use of nuclear power, Stuxnet resulted in an increase in killing or wounding, via wars over oil and pollution.

That's where I'd draw the line: purposeful killing. So I'd describe this as a case of cyber-sabatoge -- not a case of cyber-war.

Sabotage can be a tactic used in an ongoing war.




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