Ep 12. Underground Empires: Using Economic Networks for Geopolitical Goals ft. Abe Newman

This episode of the 'Great Tech Game' podcast features a discussion with Professor Abe Newman, a prominent figure at Georgetown University and the co-head of the Mortara Center for International Studies. Professor Newman is also the author of 'The Underground Empire,' a book examining how the U.S. has harnessed the global economy as a tool for weaponized interdependence. The conversation delves into the evolving dynamics of geopolitics, technology, and the economy, addressing how countries, particularly the U.S., have leveraged economic networks and infrastructure as means of coercion and surveillance. Notable topics include the role of companies like SWIFT, TSMC, and Huawei as participants in global economic strategies, the historical precedents of using economic networks for geopolitical ends, and the challenges posed by the entanglement of rivalry and interdependence in current international relations. The discussion underscores the need for a more nuanced economic security state capable of managing the existing interplay between security and economics, while suggesting a trend towards a potentially multipolar world order. About Abraham Newman: Abraham L. Newman, born in 1973, is an American political scientist and professor at Georgetown University's Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and Government Department. He also serves as the Director of the Mortara Center for International Studies. Newman's research is dedicated to examining how economic interdependence and globalization have reshaped the landscape of international politics. His insightful contributions have been featured in esteemed publications including the Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, and The New York Times. 00:00 The Power Dynamics of Global Markets 01:27 Introducing Professor Abe Newman and The Underground Empire 02:53 Unveiling the Underground Empire: How the U.S. Weaponizes the Global Economy 04:51 Historical Context: From Telegraph Cables to Today's Global Networks 15:09 Weaponized Interdependence: The New Geopolitical Leverage 24:32 The Challenges of Building Alternatives to U.S. Dominance 33:21 Europe's Struggle in the Global Tech Arena 34:04 The Future of AI: A New Frontier for Dependency and Power 35:34 The Impact of Brexit on the UK's AI Ecosystem 35:59 US-China Rivalry: The Weaponization of AI and Economic Tools 37:26 The Sustainability of US Economic Dominance 44:48 The Role of Private Companies in Geopolitical Strategies 45:30 Markets as Battlefields: The New Geo-Economic Landscape 01:03:28 The Future of Global Order: Navigating Rivalry and Interdependence 01:08:06 Concluding Thoughts and Recommendations To know more about Abraham Newman https://gufaculty360.georgetown.edu/s/contact/00336000014RcmSAAS/abraham-newman **Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy** : https://amzn.in/d/0nvHq4t **The Uses and Abuses of Weaponized Interdependence:** https://amzn.in/d/0ioTh1n **Of Privacy and Power: The Transatlantic Struggle over Freedom and Security :** https://amzn.in/d/ferpltm **Voluntary Disruptions: International Soft Law, Finance, and Power (Transformations in Governance)** : https://amzn.in/d/0rsuGgn **Protectors of Privacy: Regulating Personal Data in the Global Economy :** https://amzn.in/d/fZtnXrF Follow Anirudh here: X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuri Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudhsuri/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anirudh_suri Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnirudhSuri.in Website: [www.anirudhsuri.com](http://www.anirudhsuri.com/) Book and Podcast: [www.greattechgame.com](http://www.greattechgame.com/) Anirudh Suri: The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri : https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38My