Weaponized Interdependence in Global Networks

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Questions and Answers

What event took place on April 17, 2018, related to the article?

The International Studies Association's annual convention

A global conference on sanctions

A Research Seminar at Johns Hopkins University (correct)

A publication of a related article

Who authored the useful introduction on the legal principles of exposure determination?

Henry Foy

Serena B. Wille (correct)

Tobias Buck

Anne-Sylvaine Chassany

Which publication featured the article regarding U.S. sanctions on Iran?

The Economist

CFA Institute Conference Proceedings Quarterly

Financial Times (correct)

International Security

What was the focus of Llewelyn Hughes and Austin Long's article?

Security implications of the international oil market structure Signup and view all the answers

What issue was addressed by Anne-Sylvaine Chassany and others in their Financial Times article?

Exemptions sought by the EU from U.S. sanctions Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of the international oil market does Jeff D. Colgan discuss in his article?

Pathways from oil to war Signup and view all the answers

What was the publication year of the article by Llewelyn Hughes and Austin Long?

2014 Signup and view all the answers

Who stepped down as president to win a U.S. sanctions waiver according to Henry Foy's article?

The President of EN+ Group Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the article regarding state power?

Structural aspects of interdependence Signup and view all the answers

How has globalization impacted the traditional liberal order?

By shifting focus to networks of private actors Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of interdependence is highlighted as being largely neglected by international relations scholars?

Economic networks such as supply chains and financial communications Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of coercive authority is shaped by economic networks and domestic institutions?

The location and exercise of state power in international politics Signup and view all the answers

What do secondary sanctions coexist with in controlling international financial flows?

Other tools for financial control Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a focus of the burgeoning scholarship mentioned in relation to cybersecurity?

Regulation of financial networks Signup and view all the answers

According to the discussion, what is a key consequence of globalization on state power?

Change in how state power is located and exercised Signup and view all the answers

What do the authors propose to integrate into the understanding of globalization and power?

Economic networks and their implications Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main components of networks as described in network theory?

Nodes and ties Signup and view all the answers

How is the 'degree' of a node defined in network theory?

The number of connections a node has Signup and view all the answers

What does the pattern of nodes and links represent in a network?

The topography or structure of the network Signup and view all the answers

What does asymmetric growth in globalization lead to in terms of network influence?

Inequality of influence within networks Signup and view all the answers

According to structural accounts like neorealism, what influences network structures?

The actions of multiple actors over time Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'nodes' refer to in network theory?

Specific actors or locations within the network Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of networks does the term 'structure' refer to according to international relations scholars?

The arrangement of nodes and ties Signup and view all the answers

Which author's concept of 'structural power' is mentioned as a foundational idea in the provided content?

Susan Strange Signup and view all the answers

What role do global networks play in the world economy?

They create structural connections that influence domestic and global interactions. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two prominent effects described in relation to global networks and state strategy?

Panopticon and chokepoint effects. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the informational networks mentioned?

They are characterized by international connections through platforms like the internet. Signup and view all the answers

How has the financial sector adapted in the context of globalization?

It depends heavily on international messaging networks for communications. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key concerns associated with the weaponization of networks?

Clashes between states utilizing interconnected networks for strategic advantages. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of internet exchange points?

To facilitate communication across service providers and infrastructure backbones. Signup and view all the answers

What type of scholarly work has begun to focus on the link between structure and statecraft?

International political economy. Signup and view all the answers

How does e-commerce dominance relate to network economies?

It is supported by network effects and increasing returns to scale. Signup and view all the answers

What does the article imply about the development of financial and internet communication networks?

They were influenced by similar historical contexts and events. Signup and view all the answers

What role does ICANN play in the domain name system?

It operates as a central authority for internet governance. Signup and view all the answers

What proportion of global web traffic is estimated to pass through Amazon Web Services?

70 percent Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the article regarding globalization?

The intricate connections formed by global networks and their impact on state strategy. Signup and view all the answers

Why has the United States promoted the free flow of content across borders?

To maintain its competitive advantage in the tech industry. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors has contributed to developing an asymmetric network in internet traffic?

Centralized data centers and monopolistic practices Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential downside of having a small number of key nodes channeling internet traffic?

It can create points of failure and over-reliance on those nodes. Signup and view all the answers

What role do internet exchange points play in the overall functioning of the internet?

They connect various global networks to allow communication. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'weaponizing interdependence' in the context of network properties?

Manipulating interconnected economic dependencies for strategic purposes Signup and view all the answers

What are the two forms of network power discussed in the content?

Panopticon and chokepoint effects Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the centralization of the e-commerce economy?

The effects of network economies and increasing returns to scale. Signup and view all the answers

How do domestic institutions and norms influence the behavior of the United States in global networks?

They provide a framework limiting its unilateral actions despite its power. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of U.S. government policy on data governance?

It encourages the free flow of digital content across borders. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of financial messaging, what example is used to illustrate network effects?

The use of the SWIFT system Signup and view all the answers

What impact do key nodes have on domestic internet traffic in major cities?

They channel a significant amount of traffic, leading to a centralized structure. Signup and view all the answers

What geographic concentration is noted to influence internet traffic flows?

Centralized hubs concentrated in the United States Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Weaponized Interdependence: How Global Economic Networks Shape State Coercion

Study examines how global economic networks are used by states to exert coercive pressure, particularly by the US
The US has used sanctions on Iran's nuclear program as an example of this weaponized interdependence
The sanctions affected non-US firms, highlighting the US's importance in the global financial network
This unilateral action prompted criticism from European allies, who felt the US was acting as a "global economic policeman"
Security scholars acknowledge the importance of energy markets in shaping geostrategy, but financial and information markets are also crucial to state coercion
The study contrasts its approach with standard liberal complex interdependence models, emphasizing the structural aspects of interdependence
Global economic networks increase interdependence between previously autonomous states
The study uses sociological and computational network research to show how complex systems can create asymmetric network structures
Some nations are "hubs" in global networks with high connectivity, while others are less connected, potentially making them vulnerable to coercion through these networks
Two key strategies used by states to exploit these networks are identified: panopticon effect and chokepoint effect
- Panopticon effect: uses network position to gain informational advantage over adversaries by monitoring their activities
- Chokepoint effect: cuts off adversaries from network flows or information to exert control

Global Economic Networks and Power

Globalization has created dense and interconnected financial, informational, and physical networks, creating new risks and tools for states
Interdependence combined with the competition for power creates complex strategic scenarios, making direct conflict less necessary for some states
Networks have implications for power imbalances which can vary depending on the political and institutional structures within states
The study explores financial messaging and internet communication as examples to analyze states' exploitation of networks
While the US has substantial influence in these networks, its ability to control them isn't absolute. This capability is contingent on domestic institutions.
Network structure influences the ability of governments to impose costs on other actors

Network Structure and Power Imbalances

Complex global networks tend to create asymmetric topologies. Some actors become central hubs, while others are less connected.
The study highlights that US-based entities often hold significant centrality within global financial and informational networks.
Central nodes are crucial for managing information, resources, and influence within these networks; thus, states that control these nodes can leverage their position for coercive power
The panopticon effect involves gathering critical information, while the chokepoint effect restricts information flow to adversaries.
The study suggests that the distribution and concentration of network hubs matters to a state's capacity to weaponize interdependence
States' ability to exert control over global network hubs, which provides access to vast amounts of data and resources, is contingent upon domestic structures and policies
The US's access to and control over these networks, coupled with its domestic legal and institutional frameworks, have enabled it to effectively use these networks for coercive purposes.

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Description

This study explores how states leverage global economic networks for coercion, using US sanctions on Iran's nuclear program as a case study. It highlights the criticisms against the US's unilateral actions and the implications for international relations and geostrategy, emphasizing the role of financial and information markets. The research utilizes sociological and computational network methods to examine these dynamics.