The Uses and Abuses of Weaponized Interdependence
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Writen byDaniel W. Drezner, Henry Farrell, Abraham L. Newman - PublisherBrookings Institution Press
- Year2021
This edited volume introduces and expands on the concept of "weaponized interdependence," where states exploit global economic and technological networks to exert strategic pressure on adversaries. The book presents the theoretical foundations of this approach—developed by Farrell and Newman—and includes case studies that examine U.S. financial hegemony, sanctions, supply chain manipulation, and the role of data and communications infrastructure in geopolitical strategy. It highlights how states such as China and Russia respond to vulnerabilities arising from dependence on Western-controlled systems. Contributors include prominent scholars who debate the opportunities and risks of turning interdependence into a weapon in 21st-century statecraft. In an era of increasing strategic rivalry, especially between the U.S., China, and Russia, the weaponization of economic and digital interdependence has become a dominant form of hybrid warfare. The book is highly relevant for analyzing new forms of coercion and resistance, cybersecurity frameworks, and decoupling strategies. It can guide universities, think tanks, and policy groups in engaging communities about the geopolitical consequences of global connectivity, helping foster digital literacy, economic resilience, and awareness of international legal norms.This volume is a critical and timely academic resource that deepens understanding of how global power now operates not only through military means but through infrastructure and networks. It offers strategic insight and is well-suited for policymakers, academics, and advanced students in international affairs.

