Published 2026-03-09 | Version v1.0
Working PaperOpenPublished

Cloud Under Fire

Hyperscale Data Centers and the Rise of Cyber-Physical Warfare

Description

This working paper examines the militarization of hyperscale cloud infrastructure and the rise of cyber-physical warfare through the concept of Digital Strategic Nodes. Using reported drone strikes affecting infrastructure near AWS cloud facilities in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain during the 2026 U.S.–Iran conflict as a case study, it maps major cloud regions, Internet exchange points, submarine cable landing stations, cloud interconnection facilities, and edge-distribution nodes across the Middle East and analyzes how physical attacks on digital infrastructure may generate cyber-like disruption.

Abstract

The rapid expansion of cloud computing has concentrated critical digital services within a relatively small number of hyperscale data centers operated by major technology firms. These facilities support financial systems, artificial intelligence platforms, logistics networks, and government operations, making them essential components of contemporary economic and technological systems. As a result, cloud infrastructure may increasingly represent a potential category of strategic targets in modern conflict. This article examines the emerging militarization of digital infrastructure through the case of reported drone strikes affecting infrastructure near Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud facilities in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain during the 2026 U.S.–Iran conflict. Building on the concept of Digital Strategic Nodes, the paper argues that hyperscale data centers represent highly concentrated points of systemic digital dependence and may therefore become attractive targets for adversaries seeking strategic disruption. Drawing on international relations scholarship on cyber conflict, critical infrastructure security, and cyber-physical systems, the article maps major digital infrastructure across the Middle East. The analysis identifies an expanded inventory of 28 digital strategic nodes, including hyperscale cloud regions, Internet exchange points, submarine cable landing stations, cloud interconnection facilities, and edge-distribution nodes located within the strike range of Iranian missile systems. Depending on whether secondary interconnection and edge facilities are included, the regional network comprises roughly 20–30 strategically significant nodes. The findings suggest that contemporary warfare is increasingly characterized by cyber-physical interaction, in which kinetic attacks on digital infrastructure may produce effects traditionally associated with cyber operations. This dynamic complicates existing theories of cyber deterrence and highlights the growing strategic importance of protecting large-scale digital infrastructure in future conflicts.

Files

PDF preview
Files
NameType
Cloud Under Fire.pdf
Full-text PDF of the working paper		application/pdfDownload

Keywords

  • Cyber-physical warfare
  • cloud infrastructure
  • hyperscale data centers
  • critical infrastructure security
  • digital strategic nodes
  • DSN framework
  • cyber conflict
  • Middle East conflict
  • infrastructure targeting
  • cloud computing
  • AWS data centers
  • Microsoft Azure
  • submarine cable landing stations
  • Internet exchange points
  • edge-distribution nodes
  • cloud interconnection
  • missile range bands
  • cyber deterrence
  • digital infrastructure resilience
  • EPINOVA Working Paper F-Series

Subjects

  • Cyber-Physical Warfare
  • Cloud Infrastructure Security
  • Critical Infrastructure Protection
  • Cyber Conflict
  • Digital Strategic Nodes
  • Middle East Security
  • Infrastructure Targeting
  • Strategic Studies
  • Cyber Deterrence
  • AI-Mediated Strategic Risk
  • Digital Infrastructure Governance
  • International Security

Recommended citation

Wu, Shaoyuan. (2026). Cloud Under Fire: Hyperscale Data Centers and the Rise of Cyber-Physical Warfare (EPINOVA Working Paper No. EPINOVA–WP–F–2026–05). Global AI Governance and Policy Research Center, EPINOVA LLC. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18923621. DOI: To be assigned after Crossref membership approval.

APA citation

Wu, S. (2026). Cloud under fire: Hyperscale data centers and the rise of cyber-physical warfare (EPINOVA Working Paper No. EPINOVA–WP–F–2026–05). Global AI Governance and Policy Research Center, EPINOVA LLC. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18923621. DOI: To be assigned after Crossref membership approval.

Alternate identifiers

SchemeIdentifierDescription
EPINOVA Working Paper NumberEPINOVA–WP–F–2026–05Working paper number shown in the PDF
DOI10.5281/zenodo.18923621Zenodo/DataCite DOI shown in the PDF recommended citation
DOI10.5281/zenodo.18923620Earlier DOI value from ORCID-derived metadata; retained for reconciliation
ORCID put-code207847927ORCID Public API record identifier from early metadata
File nameCloud Under Fire.pdfSource PDF file name
Short citationWu (2026), Cloud Under Fire, EPINOVA Working Paper F–2026–05Short citation implied by the EPINOVA working paper format

Related works

RelationIdentifierTypeDescription
Related EPINOVA F-Series work on the cross-regional strategic consequences of the 2026 U.S.–Iran conflict10.5281/zenodo.18893892
Related EPINOVA F-Series work on information-environment dynamics in the 2026 U.S.–Israel–Iran War10.5281/zenodo.18903880
Related EPINOVA work on unmanned systems, C-UAS assessment, and auditable defense evaluation10.5281/zenodo.18090017

References

  1. Armbrust, M., Fox, A., Griffith, R., Joseph, A. D., Katz, R., Konwinski, A., Lee, G., Patterson, D., Rabkin, A., Stoica, I., & Zaharia, M. (2010). A view of cloud computing. Communications of the ACM, 53(4), 50–58. https://doi.org/10.1145/1721654.1721672
  2. Associated Press. (2026, March 2). Iranian strikes on Amazon data centers highlight industry's vulnerability to physical disasters. https://apnews.com/article/71066b0a822c4cfd88b61e3fe79af917
  3. Borghard, E. D., & Lonergan, S. W. (2017). The logic of coercion in cyberspace. Security Studies, 26(3), 452–481. https://doi.org/10.1080/09636412.2017.1306396
  4. Cusumano, M. A., Gawer, A., & Yoffie, D. B. (2019). The business of platforms: Strategy in the age of digital competition, innovation, and power. Harper Business. https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-business-of-platforms-michael-a-cusumano-annabelle-gawer-david-b-yoffie
  5. Farrell, H., & Newman, A. L. (2019). Weaponized interdependence: How global economic networks shape state coercion. International Security, 44(1), 42–79. https://doi.org/10.1162/isec_a_00351
  6. Farrell, H., & Newman, A. L. (2022). Underground empire: How America weaponized the world economy. Henry Holt and Company.
  7. Financial Times. (2026, March 6). Iran hits Amazon data centres in jolt to Gulf AI drive. https://www.ft.com/content/09fa5c20-2c8f-4f41-9d91-c78476eaac20
  8. Gartzke, E. (2013). The myth of cyberwar: Bringing war in cyberspace back down to earth. International Security, 38(2), 41–73. https://doi.org/10.1162/ISEC_a_00136
  9. Healey, J. (2011). A fierce domain: Conflict in cyberspace, 1986–2012. Cyber Conflict Studies Association. https://cyberconflict.org/a-fierce-domain/
  10. Kello, L. (2017). The virtual weapon and international order. Yale University Press. https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300201260/the-virtual-weapon-and-international-order/
  11. Langner, R. (2011). Stuxnet: Dissecting a cyberwarfare weapon. IEEE Security & Privacy, 9(3), 49–51. https://doi.org/10.1109/MSP.2011.67
  12. Lewis, J. A. (2014). Cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection. Center for Strategic and International Studies. https://www.csis.org/analysis/cybersecurity-and-critical-infrastructure-protection
  13. Libicki, M. C. (2009). Cyberdeterrence and cyberwar. RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG877.html
  14. Lindsay, J. R. (2013). Stuxnet and the limits of cyber warfare. Security Studies, 22(3), 365–404. https://doi.org/10.1080/09636412.2013.816122
  15. Mueller, M. (2017). Will the Internet fragment? Sovereignty, globalization and cyberspace. Polity Press. https://www.politybooks.com/bookdetail/?isbn=9781509501250
  16. Nye, J. S. (2017). Deterrence and dissuasion in cyberspace. International Security, 41(3), 44–71. https://doi.org/10.1162/ISEC_a_00266
  17. Reuters. (2026, March 2). Amazon cloud unit flags issues at Bahrain and UAE data centers amid Iran strikes. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/amazon-cloud-unit-flags-issues-bahrain-uae-data-centers-amid-iran-strikes-2026-03-02/
  18. Rid, T. (2013). Cyber war will not take place. Oxford University Press. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/cyber-war-will-not-take-place-9780199338177
  19. Seabrooke, L., & Wigan, D. (2021). The governance of global infrastructure. Review of International Political Economy. https://doi.org/10.1080/09692290.2021.1897287
  20. Singer, P. W., & Friedman, A. (2014). Cybersecurity and cyberwar: What everyone needs to know. Oxford University Press. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/cybersecurity-and-cyberwar-9780199918096
  21. Slayton, R. (2017). What is the cyber offense-defense balance? Conceptions, causes, and assessment. International Security, 41(3), 72–109. https://doi.org/10.1162/ISEC_a_00267
  22. Statista. (2024). Market share of leading cloud infrastructure service providers worldwide from 2017 to 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/967365/worldwide-cloud-infrastructure-services-market-share-vendor/
  23. Synergy Research Group. (2024). Cloud market share: AWS, Microsoft and Google continue to dominate global cloud infrastructure market. https://www.srgresearch.com/articles/aws-microsoft-and-google-continue-to-dominate-cloud-market
  24. Valeriano, B., & Maness, R. C. (2015). Cyber war versus cyber realities: Cyber conflict in the international system. Oxford University Press. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/cyber-war-versus-cyber-realities-9780190204792
  25. Valeriano, B., Jensen, B. M., & Maness, R. C. (2018). Cyber strategy: The evolving character of power and coercion. Oxford University Press. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/cyber-strategy-9780190618094
  26. Varian, H. R. (2019). Artificial intelligence, economics, and industrial organization. Economics of Innovation and New Technology, 28(8), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/10438599.2019.1565293