How Elon Musk’s SpaceX Became a Gatekeeper of Modern Warfare

By Editorial Dept - Oct 23, 2026, 6:00 AM CDT Politics, Geopolitics & ConflictOn October 13, Ukrainian drones began falling out of the sky after SpaceX imposed new restrictions on the satellite connections that control them. Some lost contact with their operators when they reached 90 km/hour; others had to fly slowly enough to remain connected, making them easier targets for Russian air defenses. Ukraine also lost the ability to use some of its interceptor drones against Russian attacks. CBS News and the Wall Street Journal claim Musk personally ordered the restrictions, while Reuters cited officials saying that was on Washington’s orders. This is an extraordinary problem when a private company can disable any part of a sovereign ally’s military capabilities during a war. Governments have allowed Musk to accumulate extraordinary power by outsourcing critical infrastructure to companies they can no longer easily replace. SpaceX now operates a satellite network on which militaries, intelligence services and civilian populations depend, and governments paying for its services do not necessarily control how they are delivered. Decisions affecting a country's ability to defend itself can be made by a private businessman who answers to shareholders and contracts rather than the elected government or military command. As Starlink becomes embedded in national communications and defense systems worldwide, the question of who ultimately controls that infrastructure becomes a question of national sovereignty.Brazil’s… COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP (FREE) GLOBAL ENERGY ALERT ($697 $279 PER YEAR) Breaking energy stories before they hit the mainstream media Top quality analysis from industry veterans Exclusive investment opportunities Digestible data breakdowns Geopolitical insights from our network of over 600 operatives Risk-free 30-day money back guarantee