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No Shortcuts

Written by Max Smeets

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326 pages, about 7 hours of reading

Political science

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About this book

Over the past decade, numerous states have declared cyberspace as a new domain of warfare, sought to develop a military cyber strategy and establish a cyber command. These developments have led to much policy talk and concern about the future of warfare as well as the digital vulnerability of society. No Shortcuts provides a level-headed view of where we are in the militarization of cyberspace. In this book, Max Smeets bridges the divide between technology and policy to assess the necessary building blocks for states to develop a military cyber capacity. Smeets argues that for many states, the barriers to entry into conflict in cyberspace are currently too high. Accompanied by a wide range of empirical examples, Smeets shows why governments abilities to develop military cyber capabilities might change over time and explains the limits of capability transfer by states and private actors.

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in No Shortcuts, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • advanced
  • informative
  • analytical
  • strategic

Max Smeets's "No Shortcuts" offers a critical, data-driven examination of the militarization of cyberspace, challenging prevailing anxieties about the ease of entry into cyber warfare. The book argues that despite widespread declarations of cyberspace as a new domain of conflict, many states face significant and often underestimated barriers to developing effective military cyber capabilities. Smeets meticulously dissects the complex interplay between technology and policy, identifying the fundamental building blocks required for states to achieve meaningful cyber capacity. Through empirical examples, he illustrates why the ability to wage cyber conflict is not uniformly distributed and highlights the inherent limitations in transferring such sophisticated capabilities between states or from private entities.

“"The widespread notion that cyberspace offers low barriers to entry for state-sponsored conflict is a dangerous oversimplification."”

Key themes

Militarization of Cyberspace
This central theme explores the ongoing process by which states are integrating cyber capabilities into their military doctrines and operations. Smeets critically examines the rhetoric surrounding this militarization versus the reality of capability development, questioning the ease and universality of this shift. He delves into the strategic implications of treating cyberspace as a distinct domain of warfare.
Barriers to Entry in Cyber Conflict
A core argument of the book, this theme challenges the common perception that cyber warfare is cheap and easy to initiate. Smeets meticulously outlines the significant technical, human, organizational, and strategic hurdles that states must overcome to develop and sustain effective military cyber capabilities, demonstrating that these barriers are often underestimated.
Limits of Capability Transfer
Smeets critically examines the assumption that cyber capabilities can be easily transferred or acquired from other states or private actors. He argues that the unique, context-dependent nature of cyber operations, coupled with the need for deep indigenous expertise and integration, significantly limits the effectiveness of simply 'importing' cyber power.

Worth discussing

To what extent do states truly perceive 'cyberspace as a new domain of warfare,' and how does this perception influence their investment in cyber capabilities?

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