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The Defense Contractor That Builds Russia’s Weapons
Rostec faces the twin challenges of fueling an industrial-scale war and reshoring production of key components under sanctions. It is making incremental…
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Samo Burja
British Defense Subsidizes and Assists the U.S. Alliance System
The British armed forces and defense industry take a knowingly subsidiary role to the U.S., strengthening its alliances across Europe. This however…
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Samo Burja
The European Space Agency is Not Functional
Despite having the financial and technical resources to do so, Europe can at best only slowly replicate advanced space capabilities. Institutional…
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Samo Burja
Eric Schmidt Brings Tech Into the Service of Government
The former Google CEO devoted himself to modernizing the U.S. defense and foreign policy apparatus. He is a key figure networked both in Silicon Valley…
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Samo Burja

June 2025

The Challenges Facing the Russian Space Industry
The organizations that put the first man in space are largely structurally unchanged despite a long-term funding reduction. Slow-moving reforms are not…
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Samo Burja
How Nayib Bukele Refounded a State
The young president of El Salvador skillfully rose to power then wielded it to install a new elite and crush violent gangs. He is now focused on…
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Samo Burja
Northrop Grumman is a Stagnant Defense Contractor
The third-largest U.S. defense contractor makes unique weapons like stealth bombers and silo-launched nuclear missiles. It is however in every respect a…
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Samo Burja
Hermès
The French luxury goods company makes some of the world's most desirable consumer items. It is a family-run business that has repeatedly solved the…
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Samo Burja

May 2025

Diamonds Are Not Forever
Technological advances have made it viable to make diamond gems out of common graphite and electricity. Mass production is ending the socially…
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Samo Burja
Pierre Omidyar’s Crusade Against Tech
The eBay founder became a major progressive philanthropist with a particular focus on supporting journalism. He is now widely funding social, financial…
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Samo Burja
Italy is Europe’s Second Manufacturing Power
From making machine tools to die cast presses, Italy's small and often family-owned firms make the country an underrated industrial power. Rapid aging…
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Samo Burja
Anduril’s Plan to Modernize the U.S. Military
The largest U.S. defense startup is led by California technologists and defense insiders. Its ambitions to reform Pentagon procurement and deliver…
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Samo Burja
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