In a move that has caused quite a stir in national security circles, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has decided to temporarily suspend offensive cyber operations against Russia conducted by Cyber Command. The decision, officially announced in recent days, comes against a backdrop of rising tensions in cyberspace and frequent cyber attacks attributed to powers such as Russia and China (Italy is also in the crosshairs, in response to statements made in February by President Sergio Mattarella on Russia and the Third Reich, which were branded as offensive and blasphemous by Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov's spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, Editor's note).

An official of the US administration who preferred to remain anonymous for security reasons, confirmed that the order aims to reassess offensive strategies, without however precluding the activity of other agencies such as the CIA, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which continue with operations to defend and monitor digital threats. Authoritative local sources, such as those reported by "The Washington Post", underline how the suspension represents an attempt to contain the risk of escalation in a period in which the cybersecurity of the United States is under pressure.

In an interview, Hegseth said: "In an era of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, it is critical that we review and strengthen our strategies. While we recognize the importance of offensive operations, we must ensure that any action does not fuel further tensions. This is a necessary step to protect our national security". The secretary also announced that as part of a new plan to streamline hiring for Cyber Command personnel, the recruitment process will be accelerated in an effort to attract highly qualified talent.

The decision has sparked intense internal debate, fueled by recent episodes of cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns that have exposed the vulnerabilities of US systems, including direct attacks on electoral processes. The Organization "Issue One", a non-profit organization dedicated to studying the impact of technology on democracy, has emphasized that instead of strengthening defenses, the measures implemented have somehow facilitated interference by foreign actors. In addition, the Attorney General of the United States of America in the second Trump administration, Pam Bondi, recently disbanded an FBI task-force charged with monitoring foreign influence campaigns, another sign that the government is reshaping its approach to cyber operations. Those developments, combined with growing pressure from Republican lawmakers and national security experts, are pushing the administration to balance offensive actions with defensive strategies to safeguard critical infrastructure. If these aren't missteps, analysts warn...