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1. Thread. The US and Europe are opening up a major battle w/China over the future of the global communications. If not done right, it could splinter the internet. nyti.ms/2S6LObM
2. The fight is a product of growing general security concerns w/Chinese government coupled w/fears of losing control of a key piece of telecommunications infrastructure, in particular 5G.
3. 5G is the next generation wireless standard and it will be used to power the internet of things. It could drive innovation in a host of industries. forbes.com/sites/forbeste…
4. While many Americans are just learning the name Huawei, in addition to being a Chinese company, it is the largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer in the world. It is also a key player in 5G. forbes.com/sites/forbeste…
5. Of course, Huawei's success had huge economic consequences for US and European competitors like Ericsson and Qualcomm.
6. But the heart of the clash is about security. In particular, it revolves around the idea of panopticon power that @henryfarrell and I describe in our work on weaponized interdependence @Journal_IS dropbox.com/s/pshsgcraz3gq…
7. The backbone of the internet serves as a critical infrastructure for signal intelligence. As per the Snowden revelations, the NSA and counterparts in Europe have critical access.
8. If Chinese companies supply the pipes, these agencies fear both that the Chinese government will gain access to key data flows but also that they will lose it. nyti.ms/2HBet4o
9. In other words, we are seeing the security implications of power transition for critical economic infrastructures. ft.com/content/fbb7a4… via @financialtimes
10. This is not new. In fact, very similar to pattern at the end of the first wave of globalization. See here the work of Harold James and Nicolas Lambert. doi.org/10.1111/1468-2…
11. The risk now is that he US is like a bull in a china shop. Playing tough w/Europe and China to maintain its information advantage. Europe seems to be swinging but not without considerable tension. bloomberg.com/news/articles/… via @technology
12. China is also raising the stakes and the 5G fight could easily spillover into trade negotiations. cnn.it/2sQnJrh.
13. The stakes are real. The US and Europe derive tremendous benefits from having signal access to the telecommunications infrastructure. Something that will be put at risk as Chinese companies supply the pipes.
14. That said, the downside is that the internet fragments along regional lines. This would have far reaching economic and security implications. ft.com/content/3a8b74… via @financialtimes
15. Rather than just brow beating its allies and playing hardball, the US administration needs to build consensus globally on how to manage the 5G transition and avoid the splinternet.
