The satellite internet provider is critical for Ukrainian military communications. However, Musk has not proven to be a reliable partner, so Ukraine needs to find alternatives.
Great update. Musk has appeared to become a mad scientist controlling the universe. It is a concern that he is the internet provider in Ukraine. I hope Ukraine finds other sources.
It is complete dereliction of duties by successive administrations that have outsourced our communications and other defense contracts to a private business. If anything, both Trump and Musk have dropped their masks. I hope the Europeans minus Hungary and Slovakia, plus Canada carry on fighting for freedom and democracy. It is not just about lofty ideals but defending their way of life. I agree that Ukrainians will keep fighting but am so mad that the US abandoning allies once again, and this time when the costs are relative low.
Great post, and I enjoyed your conversation with JVL, Tim — especially about the importance of mastering drone warfare. I have a sinking* feeling that the American military's machismo mindset will resist this game boy innovation in favor of the muscular gear they have long loved. It feels to me like we are the Europeans on horseback watching vainly as panzers roll over the border.
I hope that Ukraine does find an alternative to Starlink and converts not only its military but its citizenry (with great incentives from the new provider to switch).
Musk is not only unreliable, he is treacherous. Right now, with his Tesla business plunging, would be a great time to give the CCP-dependent, Putin-chatting tech bro a taste of his own vulnerability medicine.
*Sinking could be quite literal as sea drones have already demonstrated their ability to turn Russian battleships into submarines.
Last year I told friends and followers on Twitter about Musk’s betrayal of Ukraine and of his scam on North Carolina residents following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, offering temporary free connections to victims only to charge those who’d lost everything hundreds of dollars to purchase Starlink terminals. I received an hit for it and had my post removed for being in violation of decency regulations. And now Musk and Trump are trying to expand Starlink’s reach into US rural areas like mine. I don’t doubt that’s why our WiFi connections have had so many issues lately. It will help bolster their argument that internet providers must be replaced. Here in deep red Trump country, it will probably get fast approval. I therefore encourage Ukraine to gather its best communications experts to move with all haste to develop their own Starlink equivalent and dump Starlink sooner rather than later.
This article brings to mind the importance of redundancy and resiliency. It seems clear that there are risks to relying on Starlink, which must be weighed against the operational weaknesses in the competitors’ products. I wonder what the course of action is when a Starlink terminal breaks in the field? Or what the backup plan is if Starlink is no longer a viable option?
I am a new subscriber, thanks to JVL at The Bulwark. Great insightful reporting, Tim.
Welcome to the community.
Great update. Musk has appeared to become a mad scientist controlling the universe. It is a concern that he is the internet provider in Ukraine. I hope Ukraine finds other sources.
It is complete dereliction of duties by successive administrations that have outsourced our communications and other defense contracts to a private business. If anything, both Trump and Musk have dropped their masks. I hope the Europeans minus Hungary and Slovakia, plus Canada carry on fighting for freedom and democracy. It is not just about lofty ideals but defending their way of life. I agree that Ukrainians will keep fighting but am so mad that the US abandoning allies once again, and this time when the costs are relative low.
Great post, and I enjoyed your conversation with JVL, Tim — especially about the importance of mastering drone warfare. I have a sinking* feeling that the American military's machismo mindset will resist this game boy innovation in favor of the muscular gear they have long loved. It feels to me like we are the Europeans on horseback watching vainly as panzers roll over the border.
I hope that Ukraine does find an alternative to Starlink and converts not only its military but its citizenry (with great incentives from the new provider to switch).
Musk is not only unreliable, he is treacherous. Right now, with his Tesla business plunging, would be a great time to give the CCP-dependent, Putin-chatting tech bro a taste of his own vulnerability medicine.
*Sinking could be quite literal as sea drones have already demonstrated their ability to turn Russian battleships into submarines.
Last year I told friends and followers on Twitter about Musk’s betrayal of Ukraine and of his scam on North Carolina residents following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, offering temporary free connections to victims only to charge those who’d lost everything hundreds of dollars to purchase Starlink terminals. I received an hit for it and had my post removed for being in violation of decency regulations. And now Musk and Trump are trying to expand Starlink’s reach into US rural areas like mine. I don’t doubt that’s why our WiFi connections have had so many issues lately. It will help bolster their argument that internet providers must be replaced. Here in deep red Trump country, it will probably get fast approval. I therefore encourage Ukraine to gather its best communications experts to move with all haste to develop their own Starlink equivalent and dump Starlink sooner rather than later.
Me too. I’m a new subscriber thanks to JVL’s interview with Tim Mark.
Welcome! I'm glad to hear that Tim Mak's conversation with The Bulwark's JVL has brought more interest and subscribers here.
This article brings to mind the importance of redundancy and resiliency. It seems clear that there are risks to relying on Starlink, which must be weighed against the operational weaknesses in the competitors’ products. I wonder what the course of action is when a Starlink terminal breaks in the field? Or what the backup plan is if Starlink is no longer a viable option?