Weaponized Interdependence in a Deeply Digitized World
Virtual Only
Weaponized Interdependence in a Deeply Digitized World
Roundtable
Thursday, June 30th, 2022
16:00-17:30
- Virtual
About
Network science established the value of modeling complex relations and the predictive capabilities of network topologies. In their 2019 International Security paper, Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman argue that states with political authority over central economic nodes “can weaponize networks to gather information or choke off economic and information flows, discover and exploit vulnerabilities, compel policy change, and deter unwanted actions.” Two mechanisms can be identified. First, states can employ the “panopticon effect” to gather strategically valuable information. Second, they can employ the “chokepoint effect” to deny network access to adversaries.
This seminar explores conflict and power in the deeply digitized world, focusing on the U.S.-China competition, the under-explored potential to weaponize Apple and Google for chokepoint effects, and the European debates on digital sovereignty. Analyzing events through the Weaponized Interdependence prism can help scholars and practitioners alike to grasp the dark side of the interdependence when employed as a tool of cybered conflict and to address possible democratic responses.
Agenda
-
Moderator - Dr. Melanie Garson , Cyber Policy Lead , Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
-
The Weaponized Interdependence Concept
Prof. Henry Farrell , Professor of Democracy and International Affairs , Johns Hopkins University
-
Cyber Resilience and Weaponized Interdependence
Dr. Chris C. Demchak , Professor , U.S. Naval War College
-
Chokepoints in the Mobile App Ecosystem
Dr. Lior Tabansky , Head of Cyber Research Development , Blavatnik ICRC, Tel Aviv University
-
Remarks from the European Perspective
Francesca Spidalieri , Cybersecurity & Digital Development Consultant
