Spoils of war: money flows into defence tech

The American defense industry is undergoing a significant shift as "neoprimes"—tech-focused companies like Palantir, SpaceX, and Anduril—secure lucrative government contracts by offering agile, software-driven solutions that challenge traditional military contractors. These firms leverage artificial intelligence for battlefield reconnaissance and autonomous weaponry, signaling a modernization of military strategy despite concerns regarding political favoritism and the ethical implications of AI in lethal decision-making. Beyond current defense trends, the broader historical trajectory of the United States reveals how wartime mobilization and economic interventionism, from the First World War through the post-1945 global order, cemented its status as a superpower. Simultaneously, evolving workplace communication norms, particularly the integration of emojis in professional settings, reflect the ongoing tension between traditional corporate culture and the digital-first habits of younger generations.