How Big Tech data centers become a military target during the war in Iran

In an alarming turn of events, data centers have emerged as unexpected targets in the ongoing US-Iran conflict. Recently, Amazon reported that three of its facilities in the Middle East—two located in the United Arab Emirates and one in Bahrain—sustained damage from drone strikes. Following these attacks, Amazon Web Services (AWS) took precautionary measures, evacuating staff and restricting access to at least one site due to structural damage and flooding. According to Amazon, the two UAE data centers were directly hit, while the Bahrain facility was affected by an adjacent drone strike. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for these attacks, citing Amazon's support of US military efforts as the motive. This incident marks a concerning precedent, as it is the first instance of major tech data centers being explicitly targeted in a military conflict. The implications of this new warfare strategy are significant for the tech industry, particularly as companies have heavily invested in data centers across the Middle East to capitalize on the AI boom. Currently, the region boasts around 4.5 gigawatts of data center capacity, with an additional 1.7 gigawatts planned, primarily in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. For context, 1 gigawatt can power a midsize city like San Francisco. While Amazon facilities faced disruptions, other tech giants like Microsoft reported no attacks on their data centers in the region, asserting normal operations. However, the impact of the Amazon outages rippled through various sectors, affecting services such as ride-hailing and banking apps. James Lewis, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, emphasized the growing significance of data centers as critical infrastructure. He compared their importance to historical infrastructure like railroads and steam engines, highlighting the urgent need for strategies to protect them from military action. As Saudi Arabia rapidly expands its data center capabilities, aiming to become a key player in the AI landscape, tech companies are also ramping up investments. Microsoft has committed to investing $7.9 billion in the UAE by 2029, while Amazon has pledged over $5 billion as part of a strategic partnership with Humain, a new company focused on developing a comprehensive AI ecosystem. As the conflict continues, the tech industry must grapple with the reality that data centers are now at the forefront of warfare, raising critical questions about their defense and resilience in the face of emerging threats.