A Traditional Concept in a Modern Platform: Application of Law of Neutrality on Cyber Operations in the Mirror of Tallinn Manual 2.0

Law of neutrality is a branch of law of armed conflict (LAC) which is appeared along with the limitation and prohibition of use of force. On the other side, new technologies, inter alia, through cyber operations has made a new wind to be blowing in the most areas of international law including LAC. The authors of the present article seek to explore the application of law of neutrality on cyber operations in the light of 2017 Tallinn Manual 2.0 on International Law Applicable to Cyber Operations.

This article has been written through employing the descriptive-analytical method in exploring the material and relying on library sources including the valid and related English and Persian books and articles.

According to the findings of the article, the authors of Tallinn Manual 2.0 maintain that the traditional system of neutrality can be applied to cyber operations. We believe that although this is generally correct and reasonable, it appears that one cannot neglect the notable differences existing between cyber operations and specifically cyber weapons with previous weapons. Consequently, we are of this opinion that besides the traditional system of neutrality, new and updated norms and standards are needed for regulating cyber operations in international law sphere.