Accession Number:

AD1080501

Title:

Underwater Fiberoptic Cables: A Customary International Law Approach to Solving the Gaps in the International Legal Framework

Descriptive Note:

[Technical Report, Research Report]

Corporate Author:

Naval Postgraduate School

Personal Author(s):

• O'Connor, Elizabeth A.

Report Date:

2019-04-12

Pagination or Media Count:

46

Abstract:

This paper analyzes the current legal regime for the protection of underwater fiberoptic cables from nefarious actors. To do so, it first looks at the history of telecommunications and the subsequent advances in technology that led to fiberoptic cables while also tracing the history of international treaties. It then looks at the Truman Proclamation on the Continental Shelf as an example of a state establishing customary international law in a relatively short period of time. It then delves into a strategic plan for the United States to establish customary international law for the protection of any underwater fiberoptic cable that lands on its territory.

Descriptors:

• international law
• international organizations
• international relations
• underwater cables
• united states government
• online communications
• electronic mail
• foreign relations
• law
• national security
• united states
• governments
• information operations
• military operations
• agreements
• economic systems
• united kingdom
• united nations
• communication systems
• continental shelves

Subject Categories:

• Submarine Engineering
• Sociology and Law
• Command, Control and Communications Systems

Distribution Statement:

[A, Approved For Public Release]