In light of Russia’s war in Ukraine and mounting geopolitical tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, undersea infrastructures face unique security challenges, whereas remote and harsh environments make them singular from a geostrategic perspective. Due to the concentration of these infrastructures, which are critical to Europe’s stability and security, the latter is particularly vulnerable.
In that context, deep sea infrastructures, such as underwater cables, oil rigs, and subsea pipelines, are vulnerable to physical damage from intentional sabotage. Also, cyber threats pose a significant risk as these critical infrastructures are increasingly connected to the internet, making them potential targets for cyber-attacks. Increasing acts of sabotage in recent years in the Arctic region and the Baltic Sea expose Europe to growing security concerns.
With the support of the Institut Français de Norvège, the seminar addresses geopolitical threats to deep-sea infrastructures in Europe’s strategic environment. In addition, the discussion focuses on the required efforts to protect and enhance these infrastructures in a volatile international system. As such, how can and should stakeholders mitigate these threats and ensure the security and stability of deep-sea operations?
Moderator: Larry Ibrahim Mohammed (PhD Research Fellow, ISV, UiT)
Panelists: