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Erik Brown

@erikbrown.bsky.social
151 followers 280 following 40 posts

Kansan | Nonresident Researcher at Carnegie | Recently Fulbright at GPPi | critical & emerging tech, digital infrastructure, and econ competition | Posts my own

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Reposted by Erik Brown
Carnegie Endowment @carnegieendowment.org · 22/12/2025
💡 Carnegie's 2025 must-reads: We asked Carnegie’s directors to select one piece each that they felt stood out or best represented the program’s work for the year. See their selections here: carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
carnegieendowment.org
Carnegie’s Must-Read Pieces of 2025
Program directors share the analysis and research that stood out this year.
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Reposted by Erik Brown
Thorsten Benner @tbenner.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Critically insecure critical infrastructure: 13 of 19 antenna sites in vicinity of today‘s Franco-German European Digital Sovereignty Summit in Berlin are equipped with Huawei technology. www.wiwo.de/unternehmen/...
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Reposted by Erik Brown
Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 19/09/2025
To increase the security of Europe's digital infrastructure, @erikbrown.bsky.social argues that European governments should adopt guidelines that restrict and exclude high-risk equipment and technology from Chinese telecommunication firms from being used in their undersea data cables.
lawfaremedia.org
On Subsea Cables, Europe Should Avoid the Traps of the 5G Debate
Restricting untrusted components from Europe’s subsea data cables strengthens governments’ national security and benefits European firms.
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Link to the full piece here: lawfaremedia.org/article/on-subsea-cables--europe-should-avoid-the-traps-of-the-5g-debate
lawfaremedia.org
On Subsea Cables, Europe Should Avoid the Traps of the 5G Debate
Restricting untrusted components from Europe’s subsea data cables strengthens governments’ national security and benefits European firms.
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
To close, Europeans have understandably been focused in recent months on physical threats to cables. Now, given the FCC’s moves on cable cybersecurity, Europe cannot sit idly by and should not wait for U.S. pressure to act (9/9)
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
The New York Statement was launched nearly one year ago on the sidelines of UNGA: but not much has been publicly undertaken by the group since. Another topic of discussion should be cyber threats posed by untrusted cable repair vessels (8/9)
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Internationally, the EU, United States, and other signatories of the “New York Joint Statement” should collectively ensure that all components of the subsea cable supply chain can be sources and produced at scale by trusted companies (7/9)
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
This can take form at multiple levels: the EU should prioritize the immediate rollout of its announced “Cable Security Toolbox.” National governments, and especially France, should require domestic companies to investigate whether they procure untrusted cable components (6/9)
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Doing so would enhance the security of European critical digital infrastructure, benefit European firms, and help avoid another unnecessary transatlantic dispute—like that on 5G—over a threat perception now largely shared across the Atlantic (5/9)
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Unlike the early days of the 5G debate, many European officials share U.S. concerns regarding untrusted vendors in their critical digital infrastructure. Rather than wait for Washington’s encouragement (or coercion), they should adopt similar measures on subsea cables (4/9)
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
This move mirrors steps taken under the first Trump admin on 5G to exclude firms like Huawei and ZTE from U.S. networks. Yet attempts to convince allies to do the same initially fell on deaf ears. Debates over 5G were a major transatlantic tension point during Trump 1.0 (3/9)
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Last month, the FCC updated its U.S. subsea cable licensing rules for the first time since 2001—prohibiting the use of components on the FCC’s “Covered List” in any subsea cable systems that land in or connect to the United States (2/9)
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
New Piece: In @lawfaremedia.org, I argue that European governments should follow Washington’s lead in restricting and excluding high-risk equipment and technology from their subsea data cables (1/9)
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Reposted by Erik Brown
Katja Bego @katjabego.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
Spain scraps Huawei-linked network expansion contract after all: "The €9.8 million tender was scrapped for “digital strategy and strategic autonomy considerations,” a ministry spokesperson told Euractiv." An overdue but correct decision. www.euractiv.com/section/tech...
euractiv.com
Spain scraps Huawei-linked network expansion contract - Euractiv
The deals with the Chinese tech giant have put the spotlight on the unusually close relations between Madrid and Beijing
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Reposted by Erik Brown
Christian Panton @pa.nton.cx · 20/08/2025
Today marks 2 months since the NB8++ statement: "Stateless vessels, including those falsely claiming to fly a flag, do not have a responsible flag state and are not entitled to rights under [UNCLOS], including freedom of navigation." Since then, 32 false flagged vessels have enjoyed that freedom
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auonsson @auonsson.bsky.social · 27/07/2025
Submarine comms cable Shefa-2 has been damaged affecting a limited amount of users on Orkney and Shetland, islands north of Scotland. A hospital was caught without redundancy (shame card updated). Tnx follower! www.bbc.com/news/article...
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
These initiatives are in their early stages, and many details are yet to come. In particular, it remains unclear (at least publicly) and will be worth watching what the U.S. government expects from its allies and partners in all these strategies, especially in Europe. (7/7)
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
Finally, the Senate’s draft NDAA for FY26 includes a proposal for a “Working Group, Strategy, and Report on Ensuring the Security, Resilience, and Integrity of Undersea Cables.” (6/7)
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
Among the information requested is a detailed description of any PRC-owned equipment in cables operated by the firms, a history of cable maintenance or other services conducted by Russian or Chinese companies, and existing protocols for cable damage. (5/7)
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
Yesterday, two House Representatives and a DHS official sent a letter to the heads of Google, Microsoft, Meta, and AWS requesting significant levels of information related to the security of their subsea cable systems (4/7) homeland.house.gov/wp-content/u...
homeland.house.gov
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
The rule, once adopted, will prevent entities that utilize PRC components from receiving licenses to build or operate cables landing in the United States or leasing capacity on U.S.-connected cables. (3/7)
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
Last week, the FCC announced that it will vote on a rule in early August prohibiting the use of Chinese technologies and equipment in subsea cables landing in the United States. (2/7) docs.fcc.gov/public/attac...
docs.fcc.gov
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
The U.S. government is increasingly directing its attention toward the physical protection and cybersecurity of its subsea data cables and related digital infrastructure. A flurry of recent initiatives sheds light on the specifics of this approach: 🧵(1/7)
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
Not a particularly surprising announcement, but will be curious to see how this translates into pressure on allies and partners to follow suit in coming months www.ft.com/content/8ac3...
ft.com
US set to ban Chinese technology in submarine cables
New rule aims to end key vulnerability in communications infrastructure after attack on American telecoms
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Reposted by Erik Brown
Carnegie Endowment @carnegieendowment.org · 15/07/2025
What are subsea data cables, and why are they important to European security? @sophiabesch.bsky.social explains on the latest #TheWorldUnpacked, with Jane Munga and @ibkardon.bsky.social: youtube.com/shorts/twSI9...
youtube.com
Subsea Cables and European Security
YouTube video by Carnegie Endowment
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Question remains how willing Germany and others will be to firmly and consistently enforce such checks if ships lack insurance/sail without valid registration. Unfortunately, Estonia's pursuit of the Jaguar last month appears to be an exception to the norm so far
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Christian Panton @pa.nton.cx · 01/07/2025
...If vessels fail to fly a valid flag in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, we will take appropriate action within international law. " Time to act is now! More roving environmental catastrophes will continue to come, unless we put the foot down.
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Sarah Kirchberger @sarahkirchberger.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
Three crew members of the oil tanker #EagleS - the captain, 1st and 2nd officer - are facing trial for „aggravated sabotage and disruption of telecommunications“ in 🇫🇮 Finland. “Under Finnish law, aggravated sabotage can carry significant prison sentences.”
helsinkitimes.fi
Three Eagle S crew members face trial over sabotage of Finnish-Estonian undersea cables
Finnish police have concluded their investigation into the Eagle S oil tanker, suspected of damaging undersea infrastructure. Three crew members may face trial for aggravated sabotage.
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
My latest for @carnegieendowment.org: "The Baltic Sea at a Boil: Connecting the Shadow Fleet and Episodes of Subsea Infrastructure Sabotage.” carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
carnegieendowment.org
The Baltic Sea at a Boil: Connecting the Shadow Fleet and Episodes of Subsea Infrastructure Sabotage
Ships unofficially connected with Russia are presenting a new threat in the Baltic. Neighboring states must respond creatively and proactively.
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Reposted by Erik Brown
Noah Barkin @noahbarkin.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Rubio welcomes the new German foreign minister to Washington with a threat to sanction foreign officials who clamp down on hate speech www.reuters.com/business/med...
reuters.com
US visa policy targets foreign nationals who 'censor' Americans -State Dept.
The United States on Wednesday announced a new visa restriction policy targeting foreign nationals who "censor" Americans.
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Wow. "It is similarly unacceptable for foreign officials to demand that American tech platforms adopt global content moderation policies or engage in censorship activity that reaches beyond their authority and into the United States." www.state.gov/announcement...
state.gov
Announcement of a Visa Restriction Policy Targeting Foreign Nationals Who Censor Americans - United States Department of State
Free speech is among the most cherished rights we enjoy as Americans. This right, legally enshrined in our constitution, has set us apart as a beacon of freedom around the world.  Even as we take acti...
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Reposted by Erik Brown
auonsson @auonsson.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
Shadow tanker FALCON has no flag, no insurance, 13 deficiencies including structural ones. Turns off her AIS to hide the fact that she slings LPG from Russia. Entered Baltic Sea an hour ago. Src: equasis.org, marinetraffic.com, @maritimekiwi.bsky.social
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Carnegie Endowment @carnegieendowment.org · 21/05/2025
💡Registration is open for the 2025 Carnegie Endowment James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Conference, The Next Generation of Foreign Policy. 📅June 11, 11am-5pm EDT, in-person. Open exclusively to students and young professionals. Learn more and register here: carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/...
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Doug Madory @eldomador.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
🚨 Today the EU imposed measures against entities responsible for Russia’s destabilising actions abroad … including … two fishing companies … that have conducted espionage missions and sabotage on critical infrastructure, including undersea cables. 👀 www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
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Mark Douglas @maritimekiwi.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Will Estonia continue to enforce against non-compliant tankers — even as the risks of escalation grow? Or will another NATO country between FALCON’s current location and Estonia step in to support?
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Sophia Besch @sophiabesch.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
New @foreignaffairs.com piece out now with @richardyoungs.bsky.social Coalitions of the willing are no silver bullet, nor is EU reform. Increasing defense budgets is not enough. This is not the time to muddle through, its the time for a new regional order. www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/euro...
foreignaffairs.com
Europe Needs a New Way to Cooperate
How to fill the gaps created by the EU and NATO’s shortcomings.
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Reposted by Erik Brown
Sophia Besch @sophiabesch.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
New paper: lessons learned and what should come next for Europeans seeking to protect their subsea cables. For @lawfaremedia.org with @erikbrown.bsky.social
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Reposted by Erik Brown
Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 20/04/2025
With threats to subsea cables increasing, European countries need to step up to secure their interests, write @SophiaBesch.bsky.social and @erikbrown.bsky.social. www.lawfaremedia.org/article/euro...
lawfaremedia.org
Europe’s Undersea Opportunity
With threats to subsea cables increasing, European countries need to step up to secure their interests.
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
"Germany Needs to Rethink Competitiveness for a Hostile World." Excellent analysis from @tbenner.bsky.social and @jhensing.bsky.social
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
"[T]hat China is a 'fitness center' where German companies can train for competition on global markets is still widespread. In reality, German firms are struggling on the treadmill while Beijing is pumping up their Chinese competitors with steroids." ip-quarterly.com/en/germany-n...
ip-quarterly.com
Germany Needs to Rethink Competitiveness for a Hostile World
Incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants to strengthen German industry, but his thinking is stuck in the past. The key question is how to make Germany and the EU thrive in the age of systemic c...
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Jana Puglierin @jpuglierin.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
Well, judging by the lines on the US and NATO in the coalition agreement, you wouldn't think that Trump 2 was the decisive factor in Merz's U-turn on the debt brake.
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Incredibly frustrating development, even if not entirely surprising
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Sophia Besch @sophiabesch.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
In this new paper for Survival, we take a long term view and outline how a new transatlantic alliance of revisionists could threaten the European political project. When we first presented the idea last Dec, it seemed far-fetched to many. Very interested to see how it lands today!
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Noah Gordon @noahjgordon.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
How can the US stop losing the clean energy race so badly? @milomcbride.bsky.social and I have some ideas: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi0Y...
youtube.com
How Can the U.S. Stop Losing the Race for Clean Energy?
YouTube video by Carnegie Explains
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Noah Barkin @noahbarkin.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Trump is expected to hit Europe with tariffs of 20% next week, EU officials tell the FT after a visit by the EU trade commissioner to DC. This is likely to trigger a major transatlantic trade war. US officials were apparently unwilling to negotiate. on.ft.com/4kZpzPD
on.ft.com
Top EU official expects Trump tariff of about 20%
Maroš Šefčovič shared assessment after meetings in Washington this week
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Carnegie Endowment @carnegieendowment.org · 24/03/2025
In two recent proposals, the European Commission appeared to hand responsibility for Europe’s tenuous security to its member states. Can they deliver? Read more from @sophiabesch.bsky.social and @erikbrown.bsky.social: carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
carnegieendowment.org
Who’s Going to Unite Europe on Defense?
In a new proposal and white paper, the union lays out how it could use its financial and regulatory levers to incentivize European defense projects—but keeps member states at the helm.
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Reposted by Erik Brown
Sophia Besch @sophiabesch.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
My commentary on the EU‘s defense white paper out now - instead of leaning in, in this moment of crisis the Commission is choosing a light touch and passing the buck back to member states - for @carnegieendowment.org with @erikbrown.bsky.social carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
carnegieendowment.org
Who’s Going to Unite Europe on Defense?
In a new proposal and white paper, the union lays out how it could use its financial and regulatory levers to incentivize European defense projects—but keeps member states at the helm.
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
We'll be watching closely how these recommendations turn into action. (3/3) Link to our December @carnegieendowment.org report here: carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
carnegieendowment.org
Securing Europe’s Subsea Data Cables
As the contest between China and the United States ramps up and Russia becomes ever more emboldened in its attacks on European infrastructure, Europeans must invest more to leverage their existing adv...
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
... Reforming EU funding criteria for new cable projects to prioritize strategic investments, ensuring secure supply chains, leveraging EU tools like the EDF for new subsea infrastructure protection technologies, and expanding international cable partnerships. (2/3)
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Erik Brown @erikbrown.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
Great to see many proposals from the new "EU Action Plan on Cable Security" draw from @sophiabesch.bsky.social and my recent paper on Securing Europe's Subsea Data Cables: These include an EU-dedicated cable repair fleet (including icebreakers!)...(1/3) digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/j...
digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu
Joint Communication to strengthen the security and resilience of submarine cables
The security of the EU's submarine cable infrastructure must be significantly enhanced. The Joint communication presents strong actions in a whole resilience cycle approach: prevent, detect, respond a...
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