Elon Musk Emerges as Key Player in Ukraine War, Wielding Powers through Starlink
Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, has unexpectedly become a powerful figure in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Recent revelations from a newly published biography shed light on Musk’s influence, showcasing how he leverages his geopolitical power to disrupt Ukrainian operations. In one instance, Musk’s refusal to extend Starlink capabilities thwarted a major Ukrainian raid. This has raised concerns about the nation’s reliance on Musk’s network and calls for the U.S. to develop alternative options.
Alp Sevimlisoy, a millennium fellow at the Atlantic Council, suggests that the U.S. should seek to reduce dependence on Musk’s technologies while acknowledging the uniqueness and complexity of Starlink’s capabilities. In the meantime, he proposes closer collaboration with Musk to avoid potential future setbacks. The Biden administration has refrained from addressing Musk’s controversial role, though Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall advocates for increased oversight through contractual agreements to ensure availability during wartime.
These concerns have emerged following Musk’s proposal of a peace plan favorable to Russia and reports of his direct communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Isaacson’s biography, “Elon Musk,” recounts an incident in which Musk deactivated Starlink during a Ukrainian raid, causing submarine drones to lose connectivity and rendering their attacks ineffective. Musk clarified on his social platform, X, that Starlink was never extended to Crimea, and the Ukrainians’ requests for access were denied.
The Ukrainian raid is not the only instance of Musk’s involvement in the conflict. Starlink was deliberately made unavailable in southern Ukraine, forcing Ukrainian soldiers to retreat. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell explained that Kyiv had misused Starlink’s capabilities outside the agreed scope, specifically with regards to the operation of drones. These direct interventions have angered top Ukrainian officials, labeling Musk’s actions as detrimental to their operations.
The irreplaceability of Starlink’s technology poses a challenge for both Ukraine and the U.S. Nathan Marx, a research fellow at the Center for International Policy, recognizes the difficulty in finding alternatives to Starlink’s capabilities, emphasizing the immense power private companies and defense contractors hold over Washington. The U.S. government has entered into a contract with Musk to fund Starlink services but has kept the details confidential.
In Russia, Musk’s actions have been well-received, with former President Dmitry Medvedev praising him as the “last adequate mind in North America.” Even Putin himself has lauded Musk as an “outstanding person.” However, in Washington, there appears to be a cautious distance from Musk due to institutional concerns. Sevimlisoy suggests that this distance may lead Musk to rely solely on his own knowledge to tackle geopolitical matters.
As the Ukraine conflict continues, the role of Elon Musk and his Starlink network becomes increasingly complex. The calls for reduced dependence, alternative solutions, and increased oversight highlight the challenging position faced by Ukraine and the United States.
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