Critical Lines - The Geopolitics of Undersea Cables: Erin Murphy
Critical Lines - The Geopolitics of Undersea Cables: Erin Murphy  
Podcast: NatSec Matters
Published On: Wed Aug 06 2025
Description: Andrew Shapiro talks with CSIS researcher (and undersea cable enthusiast) Erin Murphy about the threats facing these critical transmission paths at the bottom of the world’s oceans. Erin explains why undersea cables are vital to military communications, financial systems, and healthcare—and how they’ve evolved into strategic targets. She also discusses the roles of China and Russia, and how the commercial interests of the infrastructure’s private owners stack up against national security concerns.