Undersea Cables and the Vulnerability of American Power

In his recent essay, "Undersea cables and the vulnerability of American power," Elliott School Assistant Professor Aaron Bateman examines a key national security issue: submarine cable networks. Published in Engelsberg Ideas, Dr. Bateman's essay traces the history of global communications networks and illustrates that undersea cable networks remain vital for commercial and military communications. Bateman argues that as, "the information backbone of modern society," these networks are the, "soft underbelly of American power." He concludes that, "Investing in more undersea cable routes and increasing the number of cable-laying vessels are both necessary for the United States to improve the resilience of its telecommunications infrastructure." And to further enhance resilience, Bateman encourages the United States to, "...pursue a layering strategy in which communications capacity can be shifted between the space and subsea domains." For more, the complete essay is available online via open-access. You can also check out Dr. Bateman's recent interview with Australia's ABC National Radio where he discusses his work.