Bismarck Brief

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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

April 2025

Iran’s Drone Industry Invented Very Cheap Guided Missiles
One of the key innovations in modern drone warfare has come, surprisingly, from a developing country cordoned off from the global economy by sanctions…
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Samo Burja
Toyota is a Fragile Giant
The world's largest and most profitable automobile manufacturer is a Japanese corporation built by a family of mechanical engineers. It has however…
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Samo Burja
Geely is Raising the Bar For Being a Functional Auto Manufacturer
China's first private auto maker is still led by its founder. It has successfully pivoted to electric vehicles and is making unusual technical bets…
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Samo Burja
Gavin Newsom and the Democratic Party
The California governor and political scion is often described as a future U.S. presidential favorite. But his consistent deference to party consensus…
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Samo Burja
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