The Fragility of Global Connectivity_ How One Cut Could End the Internet

The global internet depends on a network of undersea cables that carry nearly all international data traffic, making it surprisingly vulnerable to physical disruptions like a single ship's anchor. A recent incident in the Red Sea illustrates this fragility, where severed cables caused widespread delays in services like streaming and email, prompting questions about protection in high-risk areas.

The Red Sea Incident

On September 6, 2025, a commercial ship's anchor damaged two key undersea cables, CME4 and MME, near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. These cables handle data flows between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, and their severance disrupted about 17% of global internet traffic. The Bab El Mandeb Strait, a shallow and heavily trafficked chokepoint, amplified the risk, as ships navigate tight passages where anchors can drag across the seabed. Everyday online activities—Netflix streams, emails, and video calls—faced significant delays, underscoring how a routine maritime mishap can ripple across continents.