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It was recently revealed that, following the kidnapping of a German aid worker working in Afghanistan, the Bundeswehr conducted a cyber operation to compromise an Afghan cell phone provider.

Commando units stood by, ready to storm the location of the kidnapped aid worker and mount a rescue operation, but it proved unnecessary; by hacking the cell phone network (in my opinion, likely an SS7-based attack), Bundeswehr personnel were able to compromise the phones of the kidnappers and monitor their conversations, eventually (correctly) concluding that the kidnappers would make good on their promise to release the hostage, once a ransom was paid.

Cyber-enabled kinetic operations are certainly not new, but the ability to fight without fighting is an interesting aspect not often considered. CNA enables CNE, which may be all that it necessary to finish the fight.