Ten Propositions Regarding Cyberpower

This thesis is an initial attempt to clarify and further conceptualize cyberspace as an Air Force warfighting domain. This thesis follows two previous Ten Propositions works regarding airpower and spacepower, respectively written by Col Phillip S. Meilinger (1995) and Maj Michael V. Smith (2001). As the United States military explores its future regarding cyberspace operations, the time has come to frame similar propositions regarding cyberpower. Specifically, this thesis seeks to answer the question: What is the nature of cyberpower? It also tests the notion that cyberpower is simply a continuation or extension of airpower. Two points come immediately to the forefront of this work. First, cyberpower is different from airpower in that it encompasses much more than the vertical dimension of warfare. Second, cyberspace operations are quickly maturing to a point wherein propositions regarding cyberpower are worth discussing. The ten propositions presented here do not represent a complete list.