[ weird things ] | geopolitics
articles tagged: geopolitics
world of weird things podcast: why space can’t be our trashcan
# podcast

world of weird things podcast: why space can’t be our trashcan

After decades of exploring space, the orbit around our planet is filled with junk we need to clear as soon as possible. But physics and politics aren’t going to make it easy on us.

digital gulag: why russia is experimenting with building its own internet
# tech

digital gulag: why russia is experimenting with building its own internet

Threatened by the open, permissive architecture of the internet, Russia is doing a dry run at building its own. If it succeeds, the effects on the global economy and geopolitics would be far-reaching and unsettling.

playing geopolitical chess with wikileaks
# tech

playing geopolitical chess with wikileaks

Assange offers to trade himself for Chelsea Manning and Obama called his bluff. I wouldn't hold my breath that WikiLeaks' boss will keep his word for once.

the many deaths of osama bin laden
# oddities

the many deaths of osama bin laden

Hersh's wild tale of bin Laden's death somehow manages to make virtually every detail utterly implausible with the slightest research into it.

why this year became the year of the protest
# politics

why this year became the year of the protest

The world is exploding with protests. Considering its current state, we should be surprised there weren't even more.

the uncertain future of a gloomy prison nation
# politics

the uncertain future of a gloomy prison nation

We don't know what will happen to North Korea now that Kim Jong Il is dead, but we know it's not going to be good.

how religion is taking over the arab spring
# politics

how religion is taking over the arab spring

The Arab Spring is not turning the Middle East into a hotbed of secularism. But given the history and demographics of the region, it would be strange to expect it to.

rethinking petroleum a little too hard, redux
# science

rethinking petroleum a little too hard, redux

No, the new study about abiogenic hydrocarbons doesn't prove that oil comes from the mantle instead of organic matter decomposing for millions of years at high pressures.

from russia without love
# space

from russia without love

America won the space race and the Cold War. Now, its access to space will be controlled by the whims of the country it defeated thanks to its myopic politicians.