Going west
Why are so many companies moving to America from Europe? Philippe Aghion on the Continent’s failure to build a competitive innovation ecosystem.
Red sea
Why is China building so many ships? Brian Hart on its plan to turn overwhelming commercial advantage into military power.
House money
Why are countries around the world developing virtual legal tenders? Roger Huang on the origins, implementation, and implications of central bank digital currencies.
Untouchable
Why has Bitcoin become so popular with dissidents living in dictatorships? Farida Nabourema on what the emerging technology has in common with an old suitcase stuffed with cash.
Terminators
What are the risks of “killer robots” to civilians? Lucy Suchman on the automation of modern warfare.
Addled
Why are people’s cognitive skills declining? Gloria Mark on how consumer technology is making us more error-prone, more stressed, and less productive.
Firsts among citizens
Is there really a “new oligarchy” in America? Quinn Slobodian on why so many Silicon Valley billionaires have gotten so involved in everyday American politics.
‘Gold rush’
How is AI changing global energy consumption? Nicholas Kumleben on the sudden transformation of the power industry—and its implications for climate change.
Black box
Does the Chinese Communist Party really control TikTok? Emile Dirks on how it’s just like any other social-media platform—and isn’t.
Mutually assured
Why is the United States building up so much military capability? Adam Tooze on how America’s great-power rivalries with China and Russia are transforming U.S. priorities.
