How America lost its global connectivity Lead and why the future depends on getting it back

It could be a boat anchor that kicks off the invasion of Taiwan, not a bullet. The thousands of miles of sub-sea cables are what make everything function — not just in Taiwan — and it’s clear to any invading force that owning this is key to winning any proposed invasion. That prospect has never been easier. Having something banal like a “fisherman” turn off the connection for a second is all it takes to launch an attack. That’s because the global telecommunications network is increasingly owned and maintained by entities that can be manipulated against the United States. And America and its allies have dropped their deserved lead as innovators in this industry.