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October 18, 2011

U.S. Considered Cyber-Attack Before Bombing Libya 
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Prior to launching air strikes against Libya, U.S. officials debated
carrying out a cyber attack against Col. Muammar Gaddafi’s air-defense
system. According to the New York Times, the goal of the computer-based
assault would have been to break the Libyan government’s computer
networks, to sever military communications links and to disable Libya
early-warning radar system. The Obama administration reportedly opted
not to employ the strategy out of fear it would set a dangerous
precedent and could result in similar attacks being carried out by
Russia or China. The administration was also concerned that the attack
could not be mounted in time.



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