Long ago, a nation’s power came from vast territory and overwhelming military strength. For example, 19th-century Britain dominated the world’s seas with its powerful navy, building the “empire on which the sun never sets.” During the Cold War in the 20th century, the US and the Soviet Union fiercely competed to build more nuclear weapons and claim more space, dividing the world into two blocs. This was the traditional geopolitics we knew—an era of contesting power along borders, seas, and skies.
But the story of the era we live in today is somewhat different. Invisible technology—digital technology—has become the most powerful force shaking the global order. Like lightning wielded by ancient gods, technology has become a massive ‘weapon’ that decides 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 waking up to going to bed, we use countless apps and services, living within a digital world. Behind these technologies we casually use lies an invisible border—a fierce competition over ‘digital territory.’
Where empires once fought to claim more colonies, today’s great powers wage invisible wars to ensure their technological platforms dominate the global digital territory.
- Past territorial expansion: During the 15th-century Age of Discovery, European countries explored new sea routes and discovered new continents, building colonies to accumulate wealth and power.
- Modern digital territorial expansion: Companies like the US’s Google and Meta, and China’s Tencent and ByteDance (TikTok), spread their services worldwide to secure user data, expanding economic and cultural influence. The dependence of certain countries on specific platforms raises new issues of ‘digital colonialism.’
This competition is not just about making more money. It is a struggle over who controls the thoughts and data of people worldwide—who will hold the reins of future leadership.
Invisible Armies Crossing Borders
Technology crosses borders with ease. But this very fact sparks new diplomatic conflicts.
- Where does data go?: During the Cold War, the US and the Soviet Union sent spies and installed eavesdropping devices to gather each other’s intelligence. In 2013, former NSA contractor Edward Snowden revealed that the US government was indiscriminately collecting global internet users’ data through a program called ‘PRISM.’ This included eavesdropping on allied leaders’ communications, causing major diplomatic upheaval. This incident clearly showed how sensitive information gathering and sovereignty issues are in the digital age.
- Who makes the rules?: In the past, controlling physical infrastructure like railroads, roads, and ports was crucial. Today, technological infrastructure such as 5G networks, undersea cables, and semiconductor supply chains take that place. The US pressuring allies not to use Chinese company Huawei’s 5G equipment is a prime example of digital diplomacy aimed at shaping future communication standards and rules to their advantage. This goes beyond selling telecom equipment—it is a fierce power struggle over leadership in the future digital economy.
- Invisible attacks, cyber warfare: In the past, missiles and bombs destroyed national infrastructure. But in 2010, Iran’s nuclear centrifuges suddenly malfunctioned and were destroyed. The culprit was a computer worm virus called ‘Stuxnet.’ This was the first cyberwarfare case demonstrating the ability to cripple an enemy’s critical infrastructure without physical conflict. Now, countries have established cyber commands as part of their defense to prepare for invisible attacks.
The Era of Technology Diplomats
Amid these complex and sharp conflicts, a new type of diplomacy—‘digital diplomacy’—is becoming crucial. Diplomats now discuss ‘AI weapons control’ instead of arms reduction talks, and ‘data transfer agreements’ instead of trade negotiations.
The recent US-China semiconductor war is the hottest front in digital diplomacy. The US has imposed strict export controls to prevent advanced semiconductor technology and equipment from strengthening China’s military. In response, China controls rare mineral exports as a countermeasure. This shows how a tiny chip has become a core strategic asset determining national security and economic fate, much like how oil resources were weaponized by great powers in the past.
Advertisement
Technology has gifted us with the ‘tools’ of incredible convenience and possibilities, but at the same time, it has 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. On this new geopolitical map, the ability to understand and speak the language of technology will determine the future of every country.