‘Bytes and Bullets’ by Steve Feldstein

Book Title: Bytes and Bullets: Global Rivalries, Private Tech and the Future of Modern Warfare
Author: Steve Feldstein
Publisher: Monoray
Number of Pages: 384
ISBN: 1800962878
Date Published: Jul. 16, 2026

Book Review

In his latest book, “Bytes and Bullets“, Steve Feldstein, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, an expert on technology, democracy, and national security, and an award-winning author, examines how military technology shapes global geopolitical dynamics, focusing on the shift from government-led innovation to a landscape increasingly dominated by private companies.

Central to his argument is the observation that the West’s traditional control over military technology is eroding due to commercialisation, authoritarian alignments involving China and Russia, and rising regional powers. Feldstein warns of an emerging tech cold war as nations scramble to acquire advanced technologies while trying to restrict their rivals’ access, specifically aiming the U.S. strategy of tech containment at preventing adversaries from obtaining critical innovations. The text highlights the difficulty of curbing technological diffusion, noting that China has already established itself as a technology powerhouse.

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He further argues that this change in technology means governments are no longer the only ones controlling the development of advanced technologies. Companies such as SpaceX and Microsoft now play important roles in military and diplomatic affairs. Using examples such as the 2020 Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict and new military methods used in Ukraine, he shows how opposing countries adapt Western technology for their own military needs and develop new technologies of their own. This change in power could reshape relations between countries.

Author Feldstein stresses that the West needs to respond quickly if it wants to maintain its position in the world. The book combines detailed research with interesting real-life examples, making complex ideas about technology easy to understand.

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