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Writer's pictureIvan

America is Pushing China Out of the Internet


Undersea data cables, a pivotal component in global internet infrastructure, is at the heart of a burgeoning geopolitical tussle. The Marsill F facility in Marseilles, France, epitomizes this network, serving as a crucial node in a global system that spans 1.4 million kilometers and handles 95% of the world’s overseas internet traffic. This system, largely under the aegis of companies from the United States, France, Japan, and increasingly China, is a linchpin in the flow of vast volumes of data, including sensitive military and diplomatic communications. Implications and Connections:

  1. Geopolitical Influence: The control over these cables has become a strategic asset, with the U.S. and China employing various means, including economic and military tactics, to gain supremacy.

  2. Security Concerns: Edward Snowden's revelations about U.S. surveillance have raised fears about similar activities by China, particularly in relation to Huawei Marine's involvement in cable projects.

  3. Economic Significance: These cables are not just data highways; they represent significant economic value, handling over a trillion dollars in transactions daily.

  4. Technological Warfare: The ongoing U.S.-China rivalry extends into technological realms, with data infrastructure becoming a new battleground.

  5. Regulatory Dynamics: Both nations are imposing strict regulations and creating challenges for each other in the maintenance and expansion of this global network.

  6. Strategic Alliances: The cable network is reshaping alliances, with countries like Australia and France playing notable roles in supporting U.S. efforts to counter China's influence.

  7. Market Dynamics: The U.S. pushback has seen a decline in Chinese companies' participation in the global cable market, reshaping the industry's landscape.

  8. Military Concerns: The cables' dual-use nature for civilian and military purposes adds a layer of complexity to the geopolitical equation.

  9. Legal Challenges: The tussle highlights gaps and inconsistencies in international law regarding submarine cables.

  10. Future Prospects: The ongoing conflict signals a shift towards a more fragmented and possibly contentious global data infrastructure.


Insights:

  • The U.S.-China rivalry over data infrastructure represents a microcosm of larger geopolitical dynamics.

  • Control over information flow is increasingly seen as crucial to national security and economic dominance.

  • The situation underscores the vulnerability of global communication networks to political and strategic manipulations.

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