The Geopolitics of Undersea Cables - Underappreciated and Under Threat
Abstract:
This report assesses the range of threats facing undersea cables, which are central to the internet’s infrastructure, the world’s communication system and thus the global economy. The paper draws particular attention to the nation-state threats, and espionage tactics, namely, cyber-attacks and cable tapping used for surveillance purposes by intelligence agencies and adversarial states to collect sensitive data as well as monitor crime and terror activities. In terms of physical damage to cables Russia presents a persistent threat due to the advanced capabilities of Russian spy vessels. This has led many experts to characterise the threat as existential. Similarly, Chinese telecommunications companies are increasing their global influence, which is of growing importance as US-China technology tensions intensify; illustrating that undersea cable sabotage would have dangerous geopolitical consequences if China were ever to invade Taiwan. Lastly, the report foregrounds how the lack of clarity in regulation represents a critical global infrastructure vulnerability.
Sarah Kuszynski