Suspension of Offensive Cyber Operations Against Russia

I am writing to express my deep concern over the recent decision by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to suspend U.S. Cyber Command’s offensive operations against Russia. This policy shift poses significant risks to our national security and undermines our commitments to international allies. Russia has a long history of engaging in cyber activities targeting U.S. institutions, including interference in our electoral processes and critical infrastructure. Halting offensive cyber operations diminishes our capacity to deter and respond to such threats, potentially emboldening adversarial actions. Furthermore, this decision adversely affects Ukraine’s defense capabilities. U.S. cyber operations have been instrumental in countering Russian cyber threats against Ukraine. The suspension may leave Ukraine more vulnerable to cyberattacks, undermining its sovereignty and stability at a critical time in the ongoing conflict. The policy shift also weakens U.S. credibility among allies. At a time when European security is under threat, reducing our cyber deterrence capabilities signals a lack of commitment to countering aggressive actions from adversaries. It may also create strategic gaps that could be exploited, leading to broader regional instability. In light of these implications, I urge you to advocate for the reversal of this policy. Maintaining robust offensive cyber operations is essential to safeguarding our national interests, supporting our allies, and deterring adversaries from exploiting perceived weaknesses.