Delegates from some 170 countries have gathered in Tunis to discuss the Internet and online governance, according to Forbes. Apparently a dispute has been brewing over whether the U.S. should retain control of the technical and administrative infrastructure at the root of the Internet. Currently, the Internet is administered mainly by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a California-based body that is awarded the task by the US government.

Moving control of the Internet to an international body would be more in keeping with the open-information spirit of the Internet. But the article poses some disturbing, though speculative, consequences of such a move:

"Some officials fear the dispute could degenerate and eventually lead to the 'balkanization' of the Internet, breaking it up into a series of unconnected rival networks." ... "The idea that the Internet is an unregulated haven, these days are finished,' a source close to the talks said."

The argument for internationalizing the Internet mirrors a familiar dispute in international politics. Developing nations want power spread out internationally, while the U.S. main argument is that changing the system now would compromise the stability of the Internet. Normally, I would say internationalize it, and I still would had it not been for one line in the article hinting at regulation if Internet administration is moved abroad.