Digital Transformation and Its Impact on International Conflict: A Comparative Study of The United States and China
Ibtisam Kadhim Jassim , Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Najaf Technical Institute, IraqAbstract
The swift development of digital technology has changed the character of international conflict by altering the balance of power and the strategic exchanges between superpowers. This study compares the United States and China to investigate how the digital revolution affects international conflict. It looks at how both countries use digital tools, such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and surveillance technology, to accomplish geopolitical goals and establish their dominance.
The study explores the development of digital tactics in fields like economic pressure, information manipulation, and cyberwarfare, emphasizing their consequences for international security and stability. China has a state-controlled strategy to incorporate digital transformation with its national objectives, whereas the US prioritizes innovation and international collaborations to preserve its technological advantage.
The report identifies the hazards and opportunities presented by digital technology through case studies and policy analysis, such as the possibility of conflict escalation and the decline of trust in international relations. The results highlight the necessity of multilateral collaboration and the development of standards to control the use of digital tools during times of conflict.
This study advances our knowledge of how digital transformation impacts power dynamics and emphasizes how it will influence international conflicts in the future in a rapidly changing world.
Keywords
Digital technology, international conflict, digital tactics
References
Akin Unver, H. (2019). Internet, Social Media and Conflict Studies: Can Greater Interdisciplinarity Solve the Analytical Deadlocks in Cybersecurity Research?. osf.io
Ashley Baggott, E. (2017). Three Essays on U.S. - China Relations. [PDF]
B. Arewa, O. (2022). Scarcity amidst plenty: Regulating digital transformation. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Cech, F. & Tellioglu, H. (2019). Impact of the Digital Transformation: An Online Real-Time Delphi Study. [PDF]
Goldstein, A. (2020). US–China Rivalry in the twenty-first century: Déjà vu and Cold War II. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Gregory Mahoney, J. (2023). China’s Rise as an Advanced Technological Society and the Rise of Digital Orientalism. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Tran, J. (2018). Security Dilemma in U.S.-China Relations: A Non-traditional Security Studies Perspective. [PDF]
Van Veldhoven, Z. & Vanthienen, J. (2022). Digital transformation as an interaction-driven perspective between business, society, and technology. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Wang, Y., Wang, T., & Wang, Q. (2024). The impact of digital transformation on enterprise performance: An empirical analysis based on China’s manufacturing export enterprises. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Wessel, L., Baiyere, A., Ologeanu-Taddei, R., Cha, J., & Blegind Jensen, T. (2021). Unpacking the Difference Between Digital Transformation and IT-Enabled Organizational Transformation. [PDF]
White, D. (2016). The Unforeseen Evolution of Technology. [PDF]
Xiong, J. & Qureshi, S. (2012). Analysis of Information and Communications Technology Adoption between Small Businesses in China and the United States. [PDF]
XU, M. & LU, C. (2021). China–U.S. cyber-crisis management. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Zhao, X., Chen, Q., Zhang, H., Chen, P., & Chen, S. (2024). A study on the influencing factors of corporate digital transformation: empirical evidence from Chinese listed companies. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Article Statistics
Downloads
Metrics
Copyright License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ibtisam Kadhim Jassim
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Individual articles are published Open Access under the Creative Commons Licence: CC-BY 4.0.