Erin Murphy, Deputy Director at CSIS, specializes in subsea cables and their link to global security. She delves into why these cables are crucial for internet connectivity, handling 95% of online activity. The conversation highlights the risks of sabotage amidst great power competition, particularly with China. Murphy discusses Egypt's key role and the geopolitical intricacies involved in managing these infrastructures. Additionally, she shares insights on the need for innovative policies and international cooperation to ensure the resilience of this vital backbone of the internet.
Subsea cables are essential for global internet connectivity, handling 95% of internet traffic and major financial transactions.
Geopolitical tensions increase the risk of sabotage to subsea cables, necessitating cooperative security measures between governments and the private sector.
Deep dives
The Backbone of the Internet
Subsea cables are critical for global internet connectivity, handling approximately 95% of all internet traffic. They facilitate essential services such as texting, emailing, and financial transactions, with a single bank transmitting nearly $3.9 trillion through these cables. Despite their vital role, many people underestimate their importance, believing internet connectivity comes primarily from satellites or wireless signals. The reality is that the majority of our digital communications rely on these undersea infrastructures, making them an essential component of modern life and global security.
Challenges in Establishing Subsea Infrastructure
Creating a global subsea cable network involves navigating complex regulatory environments, obtaining permits, and ensuring the safety of installation crews. While laying the cables on the ocean floor may seem straightforward, it is fraught with challenges, including geopolitical tensions and threats from non-state actors like pirates or rebels. For instance, regions like Egypt face safety concerns due to the presence of Houthi rebels, which complicates repair efforts for damaged cables. Thus, establishing this critical infrastructure is not just a technical endeavor but also a multifaceted operation requiring diplomatic and logistical coordination.
Geopolitical Implications and Threats
The increasing frequency of undersea cable cuts has raised concerns over potential sabotage, particularly amidst geopolitical tensions involving state actors like Russia and China. Recent incidents in the Baltic Sea have sparked speculation regarding intentional damage linked to military actions, heightening the focus on the security of these cables. To counter these threats, NATO and other nations are implementing various measures, including naval patrols and technological advancements like monitoring drones. This situation accentuates the need for robust cooperation between governments and the private sector to safeguard this critical infrastructure, which is pivotal for national security and economic stability.
CSIS’s Erin Murphy, deputy director of the CSIS Chair on India and Emerging Asia Economics, joins the podcast to discuss why subsea cables are so important to global security, the global actors most likely to sabotage these cables, how they play into great power competition with China, and policy recommendations to mitigate these threats.
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