Cyber Diplomacy as a Tool for International Peace: A Case Study of Donald J. Trump Approach toward Cyberspace
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37540/njips.v9i2.223Keywords:
United States, cyber-politics, cyber diplomacy, Donald J. Trump, international peaceAbstract
Cyber diplomacy emerges as a relatively novel and seldom examined concept within the domain of Cyber Politics. The research delineates the American approach to cyber diplomacy and discusses Donald J. Trump’s stance in the context of emerging threats and the progression of Cyber Politics. The study emphasizes the efforts of the Trump administration to foster peace and stability within cyberspace. It further explores an emerging concept, particularly salient during this period, situated at the confluence of technology and international relations. The analysis of cyber diplomacy is supported by the theoretical framework of Technological Politics, along with the application of a Neoliberal perspective to the policies enacted by the Trump administration. The research adopts a descriptive and qualitative methodology, focusing on primary and secondary sources. The study contends that Donald J. Trump's Cyber Politics policies were antagonistic to his broader policy agenda, including the travel ban, trade and tariffs conflicts, anti-climate initiatives, and NATO funding. The paper demonstrates that Trump’s approach to cyber diplomacy is comprehensive, aimed at promoting stability in cyberspace.
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