If we posit that the activities of affluent nations significantly contribute to substantial environmental degradation, resulting in severe consequences for third-world countries akin to the impact of war (Fruh & Hedahl, 2019) it becomes increasingly challenging to deem as illegitimate the actions of the 'assaulted' countries when these nations opt to retaliate against affluent counterparts by inflicting equivalent damage on their infrastructure (without causing harm to civilians) through cyber-attacks. At least until the affluent nations acknowledge their responsibilities and commence efforts to address and redress the consequences they have played a role in. See paper in here and report here http://www.socialwatch.org/node/18376
PS - The classic self-defense concept "refers to the inherent right of a State to use force in response to an armed attack". However, this concept overlooks the contemporary reality where significant harm can be inflicted upon a nation without resorting to traditional armed attacks like when a cyberattack is used to disrupt the electricity infrastructure of a country.
