[angry_octet]

The point is not to use them#, the point is that the opposition believes that you have them, they are effective and that you will use them. In that sense the Snowden leaks have been a powerful propaganda win for NSA offensive cyber: everyone knows they have real capability. Likewise we know that the Russians have offensive capability against civilians (DNC, Ukraine power grid, etc), a propaganda machine, and a counter-cyber team (Shadow Brokers). What we don't know is how good the Russian/* military cyber capability is, and how strong the defence would be.

Personally I think most defences are rubbish, it is MAD, and the financial implications would be dire.

It reminds me of a classic line from Spies Like Us: "A weapon unused is a useless weapon."

#Except against dissidents.