Russia's Cyberattack on Lithuania Reveals NATO's Deeper Problems

After Lithuania announced they would enforce European Union sanctions on steel exports on Russia, a Russian hacker group targeted Lithuania with a cyberattack. Although it did not do much damage, it raises two critical questions for NATO going forward. Do cyberattacks trigger its Article 5 provision, prompting a response from all member states? And how will NATO deal with the inability to directly observe whether the Russian government is truly behind the attacks.

0:00 The Kaliningrad Dispute
1:24 Issues with the North Atlantic Treaty
2:01 NATO's Article 5
2:50 What Is an "Armed Attack"?
4:28 NATO Policy on Cyberattacks
5:54 International Law's Enforcement Problem
7:26 Why Article 5 Works
8:32 Cyberattacks' Attribution Problem
9:41 Cyberattacks and Sovereignty

By U.S. Secretary of Defense:

By Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

By OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine:

By Saeima:

[protocol]

A counter-attack shouldn't trigger article 5. The usual interpretation is that if a NATO member unilaterally starts an armed conflict, they get to finish it on their own.

[jayden]

I believe if people are injured or die either directly or indirectly from a cyberattack, the other issues is that it is hard to prove whether a cyberattack came from the government or a rogue civilian actor

[christopherg]

We treat cyber attacks like we treat a state sponsoring terrorism.
Meaning it depends on the state in question and how solidly they can be linked to the action.
Actually, this very thing was just tested 20 years ago with Afghanistan.

[SenorTucano]

The key word is ‘armed’ meaning an attack using weapons. Article five is not triggered by a non lethal action that doesn’t use weapons.

[suchmuse]

I dont think Cyber-attacks should trigger Article 5 in any form. An armed attack is a clear, life-or-death, physical threat against people in a nation. A cyber-attack of course increases the likelihood of people dying - but you could always shrug it off to just 'Computers doing computer shenanigans' or 'slight maintenance issues'. Basically you can always shift the blame to a non-living thing. That's not the case with normal warfare where (someone) firing a bullet is obviously (someone) deciding to pull the lever.

[jedrzejkoszewski]

Simple solution: If armed attack on one country is attack on all of them then cyber attack on one country should be treated as cyber attack on all of them and should be met with counter cyber attack on offending country.

[hammer-fngm]

Cyber attacks can be initiated by anyone with sufficient knowledge of computers. It would be too easy for a third party or a single individual to create a false flag event.

[fatdaddy]

How is it exporting if the goods go from one part of Russia to another part of....err Russia?

[marietheresa]

Superb, clear, audible and Unbiased.
Looking forward to more.
Glad to be a subscriber. 🙏

[georgekelmeris]

With all due respect, one of humanity's greatest heroes that walk amongst us said. " the C I A, can hack any corporation, or government, and make it seem that the hack, originated elsewhere "

Thank you sir, Mr. Edward Snowden 🙏

[djames]

Lithuania: "Block the railroad guys"
Russia: "Kill your nets dudes"
NATO: "What? Oh, boy"

Me: "Very smart counter attack"

[mowabb]

Problem is that Russia will claim the hackers are independently doing this and are not state sponsored.

[johntait]

Another interesting and informative presentation. Thank you William. 👍

[Alpha]

My guess is a destructive cyber attack leading to the loss (destruction) of strategic facilities (like powerplants, cause uncontrolled release of water on dams) or mass endangerement of life (extended DDOS on airport until aircraft run out of fuel) would trigger article 5

[jorgecaballerocastillo]

the lack of lines on maps in this video was/is disturbing

[shirogambler]

This guys very well spoken and explains things right and proper. Worth the sub, especially on such an important and interesting topic

[gianlucaarnone]

Yes, but you answer with another cyber attack not with an armed attack, just because to avoid NUCLEAR ATTACK ! Genius!!!

[SHOT_GUNNER]

Hey I’m gonna buy your book, I’m excited to see your take on things. To be honest, you have a very refreshing and objective approach to your research. Thanks again. 😊

[icekidtvshorts]

All expenses paid trip to Siberia got me falling of my chair 😂😂😂

[carlosbaltazar]

Article is only forcé defense? NATO is only for selfdefense? So why NATO attacked another natios?