University of Tehran Public Law Studies Quarterly 2423-8120 48 2 2018 06 22 Cyber Operations as Use of Force Cyber Operations as Use of Force 419 441 67102 10.22059/jplsq.2017.237650.1546 FA Farideh Shaygan Assistant Prof., University of Tehran, Kish International Campus, Iran Seyed Hamed Safavi Koohsareh Ph.D. Student in International Law, University of Tehran, Kish International Campus, Iran Journal Article 2017 07 12 The internet has changed the game rules in different fields, and use of force is no exception. Increasing number of cyber attacks against States and their ever more sophistication in recent years may suggest a dramatic and uncertain future. This article, after considering the traditional concept of the use of force, will address the question that, whether the existing rules on analogue technologies are applicable to modern digital ones. This study will indicate that, to what extent the cyber force is reconcilable with contemporary jus ad bellum. A key question to be answered is that, whether the use of cyber force can be regarded as a use of force under article 2(4) of the UN Charter. To answer this question, this analysis relies on the interpretation techniques included in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, as well as, the current doctrinal debates regarding cyber force. Finally, this article will end with a brief consideration of practical prospect with respect to regulation of this novel form of coercion. Integrating the existing approaches, the authors will provide their own coherent opinion regarding the use of cyber force. The internet has changed the game rules in different fields, and use of force is no exception. Increasing number of cyber attacks against States and their ever more sophistication in recent years may suggest a dramatic and uncertain future. This article, after considering the traditional concept of the use of force, will address the question that, whether the existing rules on analogue technologies are applicable to modern digital ones. This study will indicate that, to what extent the cyber force is reconcilable with contemporary jus ad bellum. A key question to be answered is that, whether the use of cyber force can be regarded as a use of force under article 2(4) of the UN Charter. To answer this question, this analysis relies on the interpretation techniques included in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, as well as, the current doctrinal debates regarding cyber force. Finally, this article will end with a brief consideration of practical prospect with respect to regulation of this novel form of coercion. Integrating the existing approaches, the authors will provide their own coherent opinion regarding the use of cyber force. https://jplsq.ut.ac.ir/article_67102_ee79333ad77b40fb54056f725eb2b332.pdf