Risky Bulletin Between Two Nerds: Lights out!
8 snips
Jan 12, 2026 Tom Uren and The Grugq delve into the role of US cyber operations in the turbulent fall of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. They dissect whether a reported blackout was due to cyberattacks or physical sabotage, exploring the tactical advantages of darkness during military operations. The discussion highlights cyber as a potentially transformative enabler rather than a complete substitute for traditional warfare. The hosts also contemplate how this pivotal moment could reshape expectations and strategies around integrated cyber operations for future conflicts.
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Cyber As An Enabler Not A Silver Bullet
- Turning off Caracas' lights likely combined cyber, physical sabotage, and human intel rather than being a single-mode attack.
- Tom Uren and The Grugq argue cyber fit as an enabler for a targeted special operation rather than a decisive battlefield capability.
Keep Persistent Recon For Targets
- Preserve and reuse cyber reconnaissance and tooling across campaigns rather than starting from zero for each target.
- Build long-term knowledge of target infrastructure to enable timely, reliable effects when needed.
Downed Pilot Analogy For Darkness
- An American argued turning lights off helps rescue a downed pilot by giving cover of darkness to rescuers.
- Tom Uren uses that example to show why turning lights off made sense for the Maduro snatch mission.
