Writing (18)

The 12.7-millimeter football

Nicholas Marsh with NISAT doesn’t criticize Norwegian arms politics very much. As far as he’s concerned it stands up quite well in international comparison. But nothing is perfect. There are the issues raised by exporting weapons to Turkey, but he realizes that it would be very difficult politically to refuse.

Licensing to Kill?

The Scandinavian countries are proud of the image they project to the world. They are peaceful, they fulfill their international duties and they do their best to solve other countries’ problems. Is it a contradiction, then, that Norway and Sweden both host thriving defense industries? “The problem is probably not…

What the hell happened?

When New York City's Twin Towers came plunging down on Wall Street, they brought with them the employees and offices of some 280 companies. Six banks, five brokerage houses and three insurance companies had their headquarters in the two skyscrapers, and many more rented prestigious space there. The disaster's effects on the American and global economy were significant, but surprisingly, they were neither unprecedented nor completely devastating.

When Money Gets Frightened

Sebastian Külps swirls around in his deep desk chair and leans back, a gesture that makes him look the young, prosperous and generally hardworking man that he is. Like most of his colleagues, he is in his early thirties, male and confident. His business card says vice president, and his…