This is really the only thing that slows the splintering
Yes. It may be the thing that prevents complete breakup - after all, growth is a lot harder if there is only an internal market. But even if it doesn't, the art of magically making things cross borders against the will of the one in charge is as old as the first person in charge to ever will such a thing. It's much easier digitally because transmission == copy. Remember stuxnet.
I'll take your word for foreign adversaries causing the majority of sleepless nights, for now.
Yes. It may be the thing that prevents complete breakup - after all, growth is a lot harder if there is only an internal market. But even if it doesn't, the art of magically making things cross borders against the will of the one in charge is as old as the first person in charge to ever will such a thing. It's much easier digitally because transmission == copy. Remember stuxnet.
I'll take your word for foreign adversaries causing the majority of sleepless nights, for now.