U.S. at odds with Russia over cyberspace

When it comes to the prospects of a war in cyberspace and the integrity of computer systems and the Internet, the U.S. and Russia are in a delicate tap dance.

Both are eyeing each other as adversaries, and both would like some ground rules to help ease tensions, but there is no meeting of the minds. The result is an escalation of offensive and defensive capabilities on each side, according to The New York Times.

President Obama will be in Russia this week, and cyberspace is likely to be on the agenda. The newspaper reports that Russia favors an international treaty that would help curb the cyber arms race. The U.S. disagrees, and is advocating improved cooperation among international law enforcement groups to make cyberspace more secure against criminal intrusions and military campaigns.

Even as discussions proceed, the Pentagon is planning the creation of a new military cyber command to prepare for offensive and defensive computer warfare. And Russia is certainly not the only problem. Like many other treaties around the world, the U.S. must get its allies on board before thrashing out a one-stop treaty for just one country. So what if there is a treaty with Russia? It won't stop China, or any other country from attacking when it wants an advantage.

For more on cyber diplomacy:
- see this New York Times article