CYBERWAR CAPABILITIES NATO

U.S. to offer cyberwar capabilities to NATO allies............ Acting to counter Russia's aggressive use of cyberattacks across Europe and around the world, the U.S. is expected to announce that-

If asked, it will use its formidable cyberwar capability on NATO's behalf according to a senior U.S. official.

The announcement is expected in the coming days as U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis attends a meeting of  NATO  defense ministers on Wednesday and Thursday, Katie Wheelbarger ,the principal deputy assistant defense secretary for  international security affairs, said :

The U.S. is committing to use offensive and defensive cyber operations for NATO allies, but  America will maintain control over its own personnel and capabilities.

The decision comes on the heels of the NATO summit in July, when members agreed to allow the alliance to use  cyber capabilities that are provided voluntarily by allies to protect networks and respond to cyberattacks.

It reflects growing concerns by the U.S. and its allies over Moscow's use of cyber operations  to influence the  election in America's  and elsewhere.

''Russia is constantly pushing its cyber and  information  operations,''  said Wheelbarger, asking that this is a way for the U.S. to show its continued commitment to NATO.

She told reporters travelling to NATO with Mattis that the move is a signal to other nations that  NATO  is prepared to counter cyberattacks  waged against the alliance or its members.

Much like  America's  nuclear capabilities, the formal declaration of  cyber support can help serve as a   military deterrent  to other nation and adversaries.

The U.S. has, for some time,  considered  cyber as a war fighting  domain much like air, sea, space and ground operations.

In recent weeks the Pentagon released a  cybersecurity  strategy  that maps out a more aggressive use  of military capabilities. And it specifically calls out Russia and China for their use of  cyberattacks.[Agencies]