Subsea cables are high-capacity fiber-optic lines laid along the ocean floor to enable global communication by transmitting data between continents. Indeed, Russia and China have been implicated in activities targeting subsea cables as recently as November 2024, and experts warn that these networks are likely to be focal points in future conflicts, heightening geopolitical tensions. Josh Dzieza is a reporter for The Verge and has covered the subsea cable industry and the strategic importance of subsea cables.