The United States faces mounting threats to its critical infrastructure, with experts cautioning that the nation is unprepared for electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks, cyberattacks, and the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). Recent events, such as the widespread power outages in Spain and Portugal, have intensified concerns about the U.S. government’s ability to respond to large-scale disruptions. While EMPs, which can disable electronic systems across vast areas, remain a national security concern, cyberattacks and AI are seen as more immediate and insidious threats.
The United States faces mounting threats to its critical infrastructure, with experts cautioning that the nation is unprepared for electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks, cyberattacks, and the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). Recent events, such as the widespread power outages in Spain and Portugal, have intensified concerns about the U.S. government’s ability to respond to large-scale disruptions.
Although authorities later ruled out an EMP attack in the recent blackout incident in Spain, the event has reignited urgent discussions about America’s vulnerability to similar large-scale disruptions. Cybersecurity expert and former Army Cyber Institute board member Bryson Bort emphasized that the U.S. remains dangerously exposed to a range of threats, including increasingly sophisticated cyber and AI attacks, which are seen as higher probability threats than EMPs.
Unlike cyberattacks that target software, an EMP can disable physical systems, from car engines to hospital generators. Former CIA Director James Woolsey once called EMPs ‘one of the greatest national vulnerabilities,’ with some estimates suggesting an EMP could lead to the deaths of up to 90% of Americans within a year due to the collapse of infrastructure. Dr. William Forstchen, a longtime EMP researcher, warned that the first thing to be lost is the water supply, with nursing homes, hospitals, and law enforcement facing severe challenges within days.
While the Trump administration issued an executive order to prepare for such events, implementation has been inconsistent, according to Bort. The ‘Golden Dome’ project, a proposed ground- and space-based defense system, could intercept EMP threats, but its completion is still years away.
Experts also highlight the growing concern over cyberattacks, which are more probable than EMPs. Bryson Bort pointed out that Chinese hackers may have been infiltrating American civilian critical infrastructure since 2010, potentially setting the stage for future attacks. Recent reports indicate that U.S. officials discovered communication modules in Chinese-made power inverters, raising alarms about potential espionage and sabotage.
Additionally, the rise of AI, particularly artificial general intelligence (AGI), poses a new and unpredictable threat. Military technologist Tyler Saltzman warned that malicious use of AI could lead to the complete collapse of the power grid and threaten the U.S. economy. The Chinese surveillance balloon incident further underscores the growing risks of electronic warfare and the potential for high-altitude balloons to be used in EMP attacks.
Despite these risks, some experts argue that the U.S. is still not adequately prepared. ‘We’re still thinking about wars with tanks,’ Bort said. ‘Meanwhile, the real fight is already happening inside our infrastructure.’ Whether the next major threat comes from above or from a keyboard, the consensus is clear: the U.S. must significantly enhance its defenses to protect its critical systems and prevent catastrophic consequences.