How the U.S.-China Rivalry Is Putting the Internet at Risk.

The article focuses on the critical role of subsea cables in global internet infrastructure and the impact of great-power competition, particularly between the U.S. and China, on this system. Subsea cables, which span nearly 750,000 miles and handle over 95% of internet traffic, are increasingly threatened by geopolitical tensions, as evidenced by U.S. efforts to block Chinese companies from securing contracts and China's alleged sabotage of cables near Taiwan. The article discusses historical and regulatory contexts, including the International Telegraph Union (ITU) and the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), highlighting the challenges of maintaining a cooperative global internet framework amidst rising nationalistic policies. It concludes with a call for the ITU to strengthen its role in regulating subsea cable operations to ensure equitable internet access. [Extracted from the article]