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Al and our brave new world of ‘weaponized interdependence’
Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman introduced 'weaponized interdependence,' highlighting how the U.S. leverages its economic control globally to exert influence. Their 2019 article and subsequent works, including a 2021 book and the 2023 volume 'Underground Empire,' challenge fundamental views on international economic relations.
Key points
- Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman are the originators of the concept of 'weaponized interdependence.'
- This term describes how the U.S. uses its economic power and control of critical global nodes to enhance its influence.
- Their 2019 article in International Security served as the introduction to the concept.
- The book 'The Uses and Abuses of Weaponized Interdependence' published in 2021 provided deeper insights with case studies.
- The 2023 volume 'Underground Empire' aimed to make the concept accessible to a broader audience.
Why it matters
- The concept reflects a growing trend in geopolitical strategy, especially concerning global supply chains and economic sanctions.
- As of 2025, discussions around IT and technological supremacy are increasingly relevant, with many nations adopting similar strategies.
- The notion of weaponized interdependence links to current debates on digital sovereignty and national security in the context of IT infrastructure.
The idea of weaponized interdependence reshapes our understanding of global relations, emphasizing the critical intersection of economic power and geopolitical strategy in the modern world.