Southeast Asia’s Undersea Cables Under Pressure
Great power rivalry is reshaping the construction, maintenance, and governance of Southeast Asia’s digital infrastructure.
The region is becoming increasingly entangled in great power competition, making the vulnerabilities of undersea cables harder to ignore. Disruptions in Northern Europe and Taiwan demonstrate how undersea cables can be used as a weapon in grey zone competition.
The deeper issue for the region is its structural dependence on foreign powers for building, upkeep, and repair of undersea cables. Nearly all of Southeast Asia’s internet connectivity relies on fragile fibre-optic cables, making any disruption potentially devastating for the region’s digital economy.
Although deliberate sabotage has not been proven in Southeast Asia, the intensifying great power competition and contested maritime space make it a risk the region must prepare to confront.
Great power rivalry is reshaping who builds, maintains and governs Southeast Asia’s digital lifelines.
Author’s summary: Great power rivalry impacts Southeast Asia’s undersea cables.