Undersea Fiber-Optic Cables: Vulnerabilities and Geopolitical Tensions

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The chapter explores the critical nature of undersea fiber-optic cables for global communication networks, highlighting their susceptibility to physical attacks and espionage. It discusses historical incidents of military targeting and raises concerns about present-day threats, particularly from Russia and China. The chapter also addresses challenges in underwater domain awareness, repair capabilities, and the geopolitical competition surrounding cable laying and infrastructure.

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