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Jacob Helberg

The Wires of War: Technology and the Global Struggle for Power Hardcover – October 12, 2021

by Jacob Helberg (Author)

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From the former news policy lead at Google, an “informative and often harrowing wake-up call” (Publishers Weekly) that explains the high-stakes global cyberwar brewing between Western democracies and the authoritarian regimes of China and Russia that could potentially crush democracy.

From 2016 to 2020, Jacob Helberg led Google’s global internal product policy efforts to combat disinformation and foreign interference. During this time, he found himself in the midst of what can only be described as a quickly escalating two-front technology cold war between democracy and autocracy.

On the front-end, we’re fighting to control the software—applications, news information, social media platforms, and more—of what we see on the screens of our computers, tablets, and phones, a clash which started out primarily with Russia but now increasingly includes China and Iran. Even more ominously, we’re also engaged in a hidden back-end battle—largely with China—to control the internet’s hardware, which includes devices like cellular phones, satellites, fiber-optic cables, and 5G networks.

This tech-fueled war will shape the world’s balance of power for the coming century as autocracies exploit 21st-century methods to redivide the world into 20th-century-style spheres of influence. Without a firm partnership with the government, Silicon Valley is unable to protect democracy from the autocrats looking to sabotage it from Beijing to Moscow and Tehran. Helberg offers “unnervingly convincing evidence that time is running out in the ‘gray war’ with the enemies of freedom” (Kirkus Reviews) which could affect every meaningful aspect of our lives, including our economy, our infrastructure, our national security, and ultimately, our national sovereignty.

Print length

384 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster
Publication date

October 12, 2021
Dimensions

6 x 1.4 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

1982144432
ISBN-13

978-1982144432
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“An analytical tour de force on the rapidly increasing challenge of techno-authoritarian nations to our national security, our economy, and our democracy. The US and its allies are taking steps to address the threat but as Helberg’s analysis makes clear, we have to defend our security and values with urgency, determination, and strategic clarity for as long as it takes.” —President Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States

“A prescient analysis of China’s technological ambitions to export its political influence and erode democracy around the world. If you’re interested in how technology is reshaping international politics, this book is a must read.” —Ro Khanna, United States Congressman

“Important and urgent." —Cory Booker, United States Senator

“A very strong comprehensive picture of the US-China technological rivalry and a rare blend of foreign policy and technology expertise. Those passionate about the future of US security and the free world should carefully consider the author’s argument.” — Michael McCaul, United States Congressman

“A chilling study of how 'techno-totalitarian' regimes are seeking to control the hardware and software of the internet . . . This is an informative and often harrowing wake-up call.” —Publishers Weekly

“Unnervingly convincing evidence that time is running out in the 'gray war' with the enemies of freedom.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The battle for the future is being waged at the intersection of technology and geopolitics. That is where Jacob Helberg lives. He is a rare bird: a Silicon Valley veteran with a deep understanding of world politics and the struggle between the liberal democratic world and the rising forces of authoritarianism. In graceful and entertaining prose, Helberg paints a vivid and at times frightening picture, but not without hope that free societies will rise to the occasion. Those looking for a guide to the dangers and opportunities of this brave new world need look no further.” —Robert Kagan, author of The Jungle Grows Back

“Wires of War is a bracing book about an urgent problem—the rise of an authoritarian techno-bloc that is trying to roll back the frontiers of digital freedom. Jacob Helberg explains the interplay of technology and geopolitics in sharp, lucid prose. This book should be required reading for anyone seeking to understand one of the defining challenges of our time.” —Hal Brands, author of The Twilight Struggle: What the Cold War Can Teach Us About Great-Power Rivalry Today

About the Author

Jacob Helberg is a senior adviser at the Stanford University Center on Geopolitics and Technology and an adjunct fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Helberg is also the cochair of the Brookings Institution China Strategy Initiative. From 2016 to 2020, Helberg led Google’s internal global product policy efforts to combat disinformation and foreign interference, including policy and enforcement processes against state-backed foreign interference, misinformation, and actors undermining election integrity. Helberg studied international affairs at The George Washington University and received his master of science in cybersecurity risk and strategy from New York University.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster (October 12, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1982144432
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1982144432
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.17 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.4 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #159,252 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #135 in Computer Hacking
- #184 in Computers & Technology Industry
- #193 in National & International Security (Books)

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151 ratings

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Jacob Helberg

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Jacob Helberg is a senior adviser at the Stanford University Center on Geopolitics and Technology and an adjunct fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Helberg also co-chairs the Brookings Institution China Strategy Working Group, where is helping support and lead research efforts focused on China’s intentions, foreign policy, and what the right long-term U.S. strategy should be to meet the challenge. From 2016 to 2020, Helberg led Google’s internal global product policy efforts to combat disinformation and foreign interference. Helberg has a M.S. in cybersecurity risk and strategy from New York University.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5

151 global ratings

5 star		64%
4 star		22%
3 star		7%
2 star		5%
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Matthew Rapaport

A well researched look at the many facets of "cyber warfare". Not so great on solutions.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 30, 2021

Verified Purchase

About the many dimensions of cyber warfare, Mr. Helberg describes what it is all about and makes some suggestions for how we, that is the United States, might go about mitigating its negative effects. His effort covers the world’s cyber armies but lays particular stress on China.

At the beginning of the book, Helberg makes a broad distinction between the “front” and “back” ends of this business. “Front end” in this case means that which is directed at influencing internet users themselves (net-based propaganda like Russian efforts to skew the U.S. 2016 election) while “back end” involves traditional hacking, denial of service, ransomware, and so on, meant to destroy or disrupt computer services or the operation of other services (for example electricity grids) controlled by computers. But the “back end” also involves chip and other component production in which secret entry points or other malicious devices are built right into the hardware! There are many hostile actors attacking the “back end”, but of these, only China has a substantial hand in the world’s hardware production.

Hackers are to be found everywhere. Iran, North Korea, Russia, Israel, China, and of course the U.S. (many others not to mention non-government actors) all have hacker armies. Of these only the Russians are able to manipulate (with much American help) our political process because they understand it (Israel understands it as well, but they are, for now, an ally), and only China is not particularly interested in disrupting services like electricity grids (though they could) because their primary goal is world economic (and not necessarily political) dominance.

Mr. Helberg does a great job covering the what, why, and how of both the front and back ends of contemporary (up to 2020) cyber warfare and also plain-old crime, but his attempt to address solutions is superficial and disingenuous (he worked for Google). For example, concerning Russian efforts to sway the American 2016 election he tells us (besides suggesting better education, a generation-long process) that corporations and the government must work more closely together. While this makes sense with regard to other cyber-related problems, on this particular point he is wrong. The FaceBook-Russia issue had nothing to do with the government, but rather pure greed on the part of social media giants (FaceBook is not alone here, though the biggest single offender). That America should have its own chip and component factories, and not be reliant on China for any [electronic] component manufacture, is common sense, but that is the only clear-cut solution here, and handles only one small slice of the larger problem.

Congress could solve 90% of the front-end problem at a single stroke, a solution articulated by Paul Otlet (see “Cataloging the World” by Alex Wright 2014) back in the 1920s and 30s, and adopted by traditional news media ever since: ban anonymous posting! Good luck getting that into law! Helberg is blind to this solution for reasons he reveals in the book. That is not an excuse. In conclusion a superb and well-researched look at the problem. Not so great on solutions.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Chris Lundberg

Well Researched, Engaging, and Balanced

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 28, 2021

Verified Purchase

Jacob Helberg's writing is concise and clear and he presents a clear, compelling picture of our current geopolitical landscape.

His time at Google gives him a relatively unique and important perspective on these issues and while he makes it clear that he's a Democrat, his presentation is balanced and complete.

There are three reasons this book is worth reading:

1) Regardless of whether or not you end up agreeing with the recommendations in the last two chapters of the book, the first half of the book contains a very clear, well documented description of the tactics and objectives of Chinese and Russian leaders.
2) Helberg's connection to Silicon Valley, his knowledge of history and politics, and his ability to write effectively make him a rare triple threat. I can't think of another commentator that can connect the dots and think about both strategy and technology the way he does.
3) The recommendations in the last few chapters of the book, while certainly not perfect, are a good start, and quite frankly Helberg's optimism and commitment are inspiring.

Whether you come away from this book agreeing with the author or not, you will be a more informed consumer of information and you will have a better understanding of the geopolitical threats we face as a nation.

Helpful

Chris L

Fascinating insights, deep research

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 12, 2021

Verified Purchase

Jacob Helberg is a scholar at Stanford studying the intersection of technology and geopolitics--this book is a important piece of work covering issues that are not discussed enough in mass media. The book is full of interesting insights on the dependencies between national security, economy, and technology.

Again and again you have leaders warning about the AI, ML, cyber threat posed by other countries and how nation-states use state-sponsored companies to use economic pressure to achieve political outcomes. We sit blinded while others are using tactics to hurt our interests.

The only detractors from this book are those who may have a simplistic view of the emerging battle-lines between superpowers. Do not conflate criticism stemming from political partisanship with intellectual rigor displayed in this book. As President Bill Clinton summarized, this is a "analytical tour de force" and as Senator Cory Booker states this book is "important and urgent." These endorsements cannot be put more succinctly.

15 people found this helpful

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Michael Schade

A timely, critical analysis of our technology-driven geopolitical climate

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 12, 2021

Verified Purchase

Wires of War is a delightfully fresh analysis of our intertwined geopolitical climate. Our daily lives are no longer just controlled by the physical borders between us, but also by the technological borders—or lack thereof. We’ve seen China’s footprint grow to include software and hardware manufacturing, and as innovative Chinese companies bring forth software we use daily, we have to ask ourselves what control and backend influence that brings.

Jacob’s thoughtful take covers the political motives on both sides and makes it clear that our technological relationships are more important than ever to think about strategically: from conversations at the political executive bench to the technical executive level. As we’ve seen with global trade just during the pandemic, we’re an interconnected society, and as much great innovation as that’s brought, we have to ask how vulnerable that makes us when critical hardware and software is out of our hands.

5 people found this helpful

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SB

Insightful & Well Written

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 17, 2021

Verified Purchase

If you like geopolitics, you know that technology and intellectual property is a crucial lens to view foreign relations through.

This book thoroughly explores the US’s dependency on foreign parties in our technology sector, and the implications of our import practices when it comes to building the future. But it doesn’t stop there.

It’s a great read that’s been lauded by some major political players (including Clinton, Ro Khanna, and Cory Booker), which is why I picked up my copy. Enjoy!

3 people found this helpful

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