WASHINGTON (AN) — Attacks on undersea cables and energy infrastructure are emerging as a growing security concern for the United States and its allies, as incidents in Europe and the Indo-Pacific expose vulnerabilities in the networks that carry global communications and energy supplies.
Lawmakers and experts pointed to activity linked to Russia in the Baltic Sea and incidents affecting Taiwan’s seabed infrastructure as examples of a broader pattern of risk to critical systems.
The issue took center stage during a U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Thursday, where senators from both parties warned that protecting undersea infrastructure is increasingly tied to economic security, military stability and global trade.
Proposals discussed included sanctions, legislation to strengthen infrastructure security, and coordination with allies. Lawmakers also raised the possibility of encouraging European countries to adopt maritime laws that would allow prosecution of violations beyond territorial waters.
“This is directly in the U.S. national interest, whether it be our trade with Taiwan, especially in semiconductors and chips, or with Europe, who are some of our closest and largest trade partners,” Benjamin Schmitt, senior fellow at the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at University of Pennsylvania, told senators.
Undersea cables are a core part of the global economy, carrying about 95% of the world’s internet traffic and more than $10 trillion in financial transactions daily, according to the Congressional Research Service.
“These more than 20,000 miles of underwater gas pipelines and electric transmission cables are vulnerable to attack by our adversaries,” the committee's senior-ranking Republican, Sen. James Risch of Idaho, said.
NATO last year launched Operation Baltic Sentry to strengthen protection for critical underwater infrastructure by “deploying a range of assets, including frigates, maritime patrol aircraft and a small fleet of naval drones.”
Even with those measures, witnesses said a broader strategy is needed. “We can deter now or pay later,” James O'Brien, visiting fellow of the European Council on Foreign Relations, told the senators.
Witnesses also recommended that lawmakers support the possible invocation of NATO’s Article 4 in response to future incidents, allowing member countries to hold consultations when their security is threatened.
The committee has approved two bills addressing the issue, though both await votes by the full Senate and House. The Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026 would require sanctions on those who sabotage or facilitate attacks on critical infrastructure. The Critical Undersea Infrastructure Resilience Initiative Act would aim to strengthen the security of communication cables linked to Taiwan.
Witnesses said broader geopolitical developments could complicate the response. Rising energy prices and shifting market conditions could increase Russia’s oil revenues.
“It is a windfall,” said O’Brien. “So it's going to produce, I don't know, multiple billions of dollars by the time we work our way through this.”
O’Brien said such revenue could support Russia’s military and energy activities, and warned that the conflict could also deepen China’s energy ties with Russia. “That will mean U.S. sanctions will be even less effective next time we want to use them,” he added.
Recent incidents have highlighted legal gaps. In 2024, Finland seized the Eagle S., a tanker suspected of dragging an anchor across the Baltic seabed and damaging two telecommunications cables, but later released the crew because the incident occurred in its exclusive economic zone rather than territorial waters.
Witnesses pointed to Taiwan’s legal framework as a possible model. Article 4 of the Taiwanese Criminal Code states: “Where either the conduct or the result of an offense takes place within the territory of the Republic of China, the offense shall be considered as committed within the territory of the Republic of China.”
That provision has been used in cases involving damage to undersea cables. Experts said similar approaches in Europe could help close enforcement gaps and deter future incidents.
Existing law in the European Union “has been a basis of peace in the region, but it's fraying, and they need to take a look at it,” O’Brien said. Witnesses also emphasized the need to strengthen technical capabilities, including monitoring systems and domestic repair capacity.
“Energy infrastructure attacks help no one. Telecommunications attacks help no one,” Schmitt said, adding that the issue has drawn bipartisan attention, with “both Democrats and Republicans see the importance of working together."
