Mind the gap: The literature on cyber security and international relations

This chapter explores the main themes within the literature of international relations and cyber studies with the objective of identifying the specific gap and defining the potential contributions to the literature. First, the chapter considers the political and security dynamics in the Asia-Pacific, particularly the responses of weaker states to great power rivalry and the arms build-up in the region. Second, the chapter looks into small states in international relations with emphasis on the factors that shape their foreign policy and behaviour. Third, the chapter focuses on cyber studies and international relations, specifically discussing the debates regarding the impact of the information revolution on states, cyberspace as a domain of conflict, the motivations for developing cyber capabilities, the cybersecurity of small states, and finally, a survey of existing theoretical contributions to cyber studies. The last section summarises the key points of the chapter.