Sunday, October 25, 2015

Russian Ships Near Data Cables Are Too Close for U.S. Comfort

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/26/world/europe/russian-presence-near-undersea-cables-concerns-us.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0


Russian submarines have been spotted operating near the vital undersea cables that carry almost all global Internet communications.  This discovery is raising concerns among some American military and intelligence officials that the Russians might be planning to attack those lines in times of tension or conflict. While there is no evidence yet of any cable cutting, it is part of a growing concern among officials over the accelerated activity by Russian armed forces around the globe. United States is increasingly viewing every Russian move through a lens of deep distrust.  These actions are very similar to how the U.S viewed Russia during the cold war.  One NATO ally, Norway, is so concerned that it has asked its neighbors for aid in tracking Russian submarines. Submarines are not the only vessels that are snooping on the undersea cables. American officials closely monitor the Yantar, which Russian officials insist is an oceanographic ship with no threat.
- Tom Sora

No comments: