Reading up on geopolitics
23 deep · digging since dec 31, 25
- War by Other Means - by Palladium Editors
As robotic warfare shifts military power from citizens to private firms, states become dependent on corporate partners, eroding the traditional social contract that ties sovereignty to popular consent.
- What Changed After Almost Four Months of War? Analysts Say Not Much.
Analysts say that after nearly four months of war, the primary threats from Iran remain unresolved, despite the conflict or any agreement.
- Opinion | What We Just Learned About American Power
America's strategic defeat in Afghanistan reveals the limits of military power when unaccompanied by coherent political strategy and local legitimacy.
- A Dangerous Limbo Leaves Iran, and the World, Between Peace and War
Iran, Israel, and the U.S. have maintained low-intensity violence following a nominal cease-fire two months ago, creating a precarious new normal that risks escalation.
- Silicon Frontier
Control over semiconductor supply chains, from ASML's lithography to TSMC's manufacturing and NVIDIA's CUDA ecosystem, determines which entities dominate the AI era.
- 2028: Two scenarios for global AI leadership
Anthropic argues that US export controls on AI chips must be tightened to ensure democracies maintain a decisive lead over China's authoritarian regime by 2028.
- In Qatar, Energy Sector Damage Is Severe, and the Way Back Will Be Long
Iranian strikes and a blockade have paralyzed Qatar's gas sector, creating a technical bottleneck that will stall exports for years.
- China Seeks A.I. Independence, Weakening Trump’s Leverage
China has achieved a milestone in AI self-sufficiency, reducing its reliance on US technology and weakening American leverage ahead of bilateral talks.
- Opinion | A Legendary Investor on How to Prevent America’s Coming ‘Heart Attack’
Ray Dalio warns the U.S. faces an economic 'heart attack' from unsustainable debt and political dysfunction, urging structural reforms to avert crisis.
- How Energy Prices Are Driving Demand for Solar Panels and Heat Pumps
European consumers, wary of energy price spikes from geopolitical crises, are increasingly adopting solar panels and heat pumps as a hedge against future cost shocks.
- How Cheap Drones Are Changing Wars Like the Ones in Ukraine and Iran - The New York Times
Cheap drones are forcing the U.S. and allies to rethink their preference for expensive, high-precision defense systems in conflicts like Ukraine and Iran.
- Opinion | I Went to China to See Their Progress on A.I. We Can’t Beat Them. - The New York Times
Kai-Fu Lee argues the U.S. cannot outcompete China on AI and should pursue cooperation instead.
- Mortgage Rates Jump Again as Iran War Effects Ripple Through Housing Market - The New York Times
Mortgage rates in the U.S. rose for the fourth time since the Iran war began, reaching 6.38 percent for a 30-year loan.
- U.S. Tech Giants Flocked to the Persian Gulf. Now They Are Targets. - The New York Times
Iran threatened cyberattacks against U.S. tech infrastructure in the Persian Gulf, where Amazon and Google made deals to fund A.I. development.
- Netanyahu Has the War He Always Wanted, but on Trump’s Terms - The New York Times
Israel's Netanyahu desired full regime change in Iran, but President Trump is willing to accept a less comprehensive outcome.
- 4 Continents in 62 Hours: How One American Got Out of Qatar - The New York Times
A New Orleans doctor stranded by Middle East conflict travels across four continents in 62 hours to return home from Qatar.
- America Is an Oil Exporter. Why Does a Mideast War Raise U.S. Gas Prices? - The New York Times
Despite being a net oil exporter, U.S. gasoline prices remain tied to global crude benchmarks because domestic refiners need imported heavy oil.
- As Trump Out-Putins Putin, Russia’s Global Influence Erodes - The New York Times
U.S. realignment under Trump challenges Russian partnerships in Ukraine and the Middle East, revealing the limits of Moscow's global influence.
- Travelers Stranded by U.S.-Israel Conflict With Iran Face Endless Flight Cancellations - The New York Times
Air travel disruptions from escalating U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict strand passengers globally, who cycle through repeated flight cancellations far from Middle Eastern hubs.
- Iran Strikes U.S. Military Facilities in Dubai, Bahrain and Other Middle East Locations - The New York Times
A Times analysis of satellite imagery and verified videos reveals Iran identified vulnerabilities at U.S. military facilities in Dubai, Bahrain, and other Middle East locations.
- The Looming Taiwan Chip Disaster That Silicon Valley Has Long Ignored - The New York Times
A Taiwan invasion by China would halt chip exports, crippling the U.S. tech industry and economy, a risk Silicon Valley has long overlooked.
- Inside China’s Six-Decade Campaign to Dominate Rare Earths - The New York Times
China's six-decade state-led investment in rare earth production, from Deng Xiaoping to Xi Jinping, secured its global dominance in a strategic but polluting industry.