Weaponized Interdependence: The Transformation of Global Network Infrastructures into Tools of Geopolitical Coercion

Abstract

This study examines the phenomenon of "weaponized interdependence," representing a radical shift in the nature of conflicts and power dynamics within the contemporary international system. Instead of relying exclusively on traditional military force or direct interventions, major powers are increasingly exploiting their strategic positioning within global economic networks—such as cross-border financial systems, technological supply chains, and telecommunications infrastructures—to achieve geopolitical objectives. The research discusses how globalization, long viewed as an instrument for peace, cooperation, and bridging gaps between nations, has transformed into a new arena for silent confrontation. It highlights the control mechanisms exercised by central states within these networks to coerce weaker nations and shape their policies through strategies of denial and information gathering. The structural framework of the research relies on a theoretical analysis of network infrastructures as strategic "chokepoints," imposing a new reality that redefines the concepts of deterrence, sovereignty, and national security in the twenty-first century.