Once upon a time, a nation’s power came from vast territories and formidable military strength. For instance, in the 19th century, Britain dominated the world’s seas with its powerful navy, building an empire known as ’the country where the sun never sets.’ During the Cold War of the 20th century, the United States and the Soviet Union fiercely competed to produce more nuclear weapons and claim a larger share of space, dividing the world into two. This was the traditional geopolitics we knew, an era where borders were contested, and power was measured in land, sea, and air.
However, the story of the era we live in today is somewhat different. The invisible force of technology, particularly digital technology, has become the most powerful force shaking the foundations of the world. Like the lightning wielded by ancient gods, technology has now become a massive ‘weapon’ that determines the rise and fall of nations and a ’tool’ for forging new relationships.
A New Battlefield: Digital Territory
We all live with smartphones in our hands. From the moment we wake up until we go to bed, we navigate through countless apps and services in the digital world. Yet, behind the technologies we use without a second thought lies fierce competition over invisible borders, known as ‘digital territory.’
In the past, empires fought to acquire more colonies; today, great powers engage in invisible wars to ensure their technological platforms dominate the global digital landscape.
- Territorial Expansion in the Past: During the Age of Exploration in the 15th century, European nations discovered new routes and continents, building colonies and amassing wealth and power.
- Modern Digital Territorial Expansion: Companies like Google’s parent company Alphabet, Meta, China’s Tencent, and ByteDance (TikTok) are spreading their services worldwide to secure user data, thereby expanding their economic and cultural influence. The phenomenon of specific countries becoming dependent on certain platforms raises new issues of ‘digital colonialism.’
This competition is not merely about making more money. It is a struggle over who controls the thoughts and data of people worldwide, determining who will hold the future’s leadership.
Invisible Armies Crossing Borders
Technology crosses borders with remarkable ease. However, this very aspect is igniting new diplomatic conflicts.
- Where Does the Data Go?: During the Cold War, the U.S. and the Soviet Union sent spies across borders and installed listening devices to extract each other’s information. In 2013, former NSA employee Edward Snowden revealed that the U.S. government was indiscriminately collecting data from internet users worldwide through a program called ‘PRISM.’ This included eavesdropping on the calls of allied leaders, causing significant diplomatic repercussions. This incident clearly illustrated how sensitive the issues of information gathering and sovereignty are in the digital age.
- Who Makes the Rules?: In the past, controlling physical infrastructure like railroads, roads, and ports was crucial. Now, technological infrastructure such as 5G networks, undersea cables, and semiconductor supply chains have taken their place. The U.S. pressuring its allies not to use Chinese Huawei’s 5G equipment is a prime example of digital diplomacy aimed at shaping the standards and rules of future communication technology in its favor. This is not merely about selling communication equipment; it is a fierce struggle for dominance in the future digital economy.
- Invisible Attacks: Cyber Warfare: In the past, nations destroyed infrastructure with missiles and bombs. However, in 2010, an incident occurred where Iran’s nuclear facility centrifuges suddenly malfunctioned and were destroyed. The culprit was a computer worm virus called ‘Stuxnet.’ This was the first case of cyber warfare, demonstrating that it is possible to incapacitate an enemy’s critical infrastructure without physical conflict. Now, countries are establishing cyber commands as part of their defense strategy to prepare for invisible attacks.
The Era of Technological Diplomats
In such complex and acute conflicts, a new type of diplomacy, ‘digital diplomacy,’ is becoming increasingly important. Diplomats must now discuss ‘AI weapon control’ instead of arms reduction negotiations and ‘data transfer agreements’ instead of trade negotiations.
The recent semiconductor war between the U.S. and China is the hottest front in digital diplomacy. The U.S. has implemented strict export controls to prevent advanced semiconductor technology and equipment from being used to strengthen China’s military capabilities. In response, China is controlling the export of rare minerals, retaliating in kind. This is reminiscent of how past great powers weaponized oil resources; now, a small chip has become a key strategic asset that determines national security and economic fate.
Technology has gifted us with remarkable convenience and possibilities as a ’tool,’ but it has also become a sharp ‘weapon’ that deepens conflicts between nations and threatens security. While past diplomacy was conducted on maps, future diplomacy will unfold over invisible networks and semiconductor circuits. In this new geopolitical landscape, the ability to understand and wield the language of technology will determine the future of all nations.