Data Center Warfare: Defending the Key Terrain of AI Infrastructure - Modern War Institute -
What's documented Modern War Institute essay on data center vulnerability; cites Iran strikes on AWS UAE, Bahrain, and Oracle Dubai facilities.
A Modern War Institute essay argues that AI data centers are becoming strategic military targets and key terrain that defense planners must learn to protect. It cites Iran's retaliatory strikes on AWS data centers in the UAE and Bahrain and an Oracle facility in Dubai, after which Iran declared 18 major technology firms legitimate targets. The authors warn that concentrated digital megacampuses across the US, Europe, and the Indo-Pacific create high-value vulnerabilities in future conflict.
- Frames AI data centers as strategic key terrain
- Cites Iranian strikes on AWS centers in the UAE and Bahrain and an Oracle site in Dubai
- Iran reportedly named 18 tech firms as legitimate military targets
- Points to megacampuses: 11 GW in Texas, 7.2 GW in Montana, $16B in Michigan, 9 GW in Utah
- Flags Taiwan and Johor, Malaysia as potential Indo-Pacific flashpoints