Oct 26, 2024 07:05 PM
(This post was last modified: Oct 26, 2024 07:06 PM by C C.)
The Lord Protectors just never give up...
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Why is Elon Musk talking to Vladimir Putin, and what does it mean for SpaceX?
https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/10/wh...or-spacex/
EXCERPTS: In a blockbuster story published Friday morning, The Wall Street Journal reports that Elon Musk has been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin for about two years, with the discussions covering a range of issues from geopolitics to business to personal matters.
There are no on-the-record sources confirming the regular conversations between Musk and Putin, and Musk did not comment to the news organization. A Putin spokesperson said the Russian leader and Musk have had just one telephone call. However, the report is plausibly true, and the Journal cites "several current and former US, European, and Russian officials." This is also not the first time there have been reports of contact between Musk and Putin.
[...] The most plausible answer for why Musk is conversing with Putin is that he sees himself as a global power broker and wants to do bold things like solve the Ukraine crisis. Musk has ideas and views for how the world should be, and developing relationships with world leaders will help advance those ideas. Musk is also opportunistic and must believe that he can manage Putin in a way that is advantageous to his personal and business aims.
[...] One concern for US policymakers is that this could represent a break in a long-running symbiotic relationship between Musk and America. ... After nursing a libertarian streak for decades, Musk has become ultra-political. He is loved. He is hated...
[...] At a minimum, in the wake of Friday's report, Musk will likely face increased calls for the revocation of his national security clearance. As the launch provider for sensitive Department of Defense missions, Musk has access to privileged information about the capabilities of spy satellites and other national security assets. He also has critical contracts with the US military for Starlink communication services under the Starshield business unit.
In addition, Musk's political activities are playing out as the US Space Force is beginning to award contracts as part of the latest round of national security launch missions, known as NSSL Phase 3. It is possible the US military could lean more into the Vulcan rocket and United Launch Alliance.
Some of the more ardent critics of Musk's behavior have called for the US government to force Musk to divest his interest in SpaceX... (MORE - missing details)
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Why is Elon Musk talking to Vladimir Putin, and what does it mean for SpaceX?
https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/10/wh...or-spacex/
EXCERPTS: In a blockbuster story published Friday morning, The Wall Street Journal reports that Elon Musk has been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin for about two years, with the discussions covering a range of issues from geopolitics to business to personal matters.
There are no on-the-record sources confirming the regular conversations between Musk and Putin, and Musk did not comment to the news organization. A Putin spokesperson said the Russian leader and Musk have had just one telephone call. However, the report is plausibly true, and the Journal cites "several current and former US, European, and Russian officials." This is also not the first time there have been reports of contact between Musk and Putin.
[...] The most plausible answer for why Musk is conversing with Putin is that he sees himself as a global power broker and wants to do bold things like solve the Ukraine crisis. Musk has ideas and views for how the world should be, and developing relationships with world leaders will help advance those ideas. Musk is also opportunistic and must believe that he can manage Putin in a way that is advantageous to his personal and business aims.
[...] One concern for US policymakers is that this could represent a break in a long-running symbiotic relationship between Musk and America. ... After nursing a libertarian streak for decades, Musk has become ultra-political. He is loved. He is hated...
[...] At a minimum, in the wake of Friday's report, Musk will likely face increased calls for the revocation of his national security clearance. As the launch provider for sensitive Department of Defense missions, Musk has access to privileged information about the capabilities of spy satellites and other national security assets. He also has critical contracts with the US military for Starlink communication services under the Starshield business unit.
In addition, Musk's political activities are playing out as the US Space Force is beginning to award contracts as part of the latest round of national security launch missions, known as NSSL Phase 3. It is possible the US military could lean more into the Vulcan rocket and United Launch Alliance.
Some of the more ardent critics of Musk's behavior have called for the US government to force Musk to divest his interest in SpaceX... (MORE - missing details)