The growing US China Rivalry in the context of advanced communication systems and submarine cables, particularly centered around the strategically positioned island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
Unveiling the US China Rivalry and Diego Garcia’s Role
Based on Eurasia Review, the escalating US China Rivalry has extended to new frontiers, including advanced communication systems. At the heart of this rivalry is Diego Garcia, a strategically positioned island in the Indian Ocean leased to the US military until 2036. Housing around three thousand soldiers and their families, Diego Garcia’s proximity to India, China, and the Persian Gulf makes it a critical surveillance point for geopolitical developments and oil tanker routes.
Diego Garcia serves as a naval hub, playing pivotal roles in past conflicts and equipped with radar systems, radio stations, and hydro-acoustic communication. Recent classified documents reveal the US’s covert plan to upgrade the island’s internet connection from satellite to submarine cables, boosting military communication capabilities and readiness in countering potential threats from China or assisting Taiwan.
Under the codename “Big Wave,” a clandestine operation led by “SubCom,” a company specializing in laying optical fiber cables, is unfolding. SubCom, with ties to the defense investment firm Cerberus Capital Management, has both military and economic implications, contributing to the US China rivalry. Its dual role aids the expansion of the US naval submarine cable network for enhanced surveillance and coordination, while also solidifying American dominance in global internet connectivity amidst US China Rivalry.
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US China Rivalry for Dominance in Global Subsea Cable Networks
Based on the article of The Diplomat, as the backbone of global internet connectivity, subsea cables play a crucial role in facilitating data transmission between continents. China and the United States, two technological powerhouses locked in the US China rivalry, are competing to expand their influence over these vital communication arteries. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aims to establish an extensive network of subsea cables, potentially reshaping global communication dynamics.
In response, the United States is intensifying efforts to safeguard its interests, ensuring the security and reliability of its internet infrastructure amidst the US China rivalry.