The article features insights from American political scientist Abraham Newman, who describes the contemporary political climate as one characterized by 'weaponised interdependence.' He argues that traditional perceptions of globalization suggest that it has created a decentralized power dynamic with firms at the helm, but he and his co-author contend that this view is flawed. Rather than decentralization, they point out that many crucial global economic networks remain highly centralized across various sectors, such as finance, communication, and production.

Newman cites the example of the iPhone, highlighting how its production relies on a few dominant players like TSMC and Samsung for chips, illustrating the concentration of influence within a few entities over a global product. He emphasizes that despite the appearance of widespread and decentralized global interaction, significant power remains held by a limited number of actors. This centralization has implications for international relations, as countries may leverage their economic dependencies as tools in geopolitical strategies.

The discussion also raises critical questions regarding how nations navigate their interdependent relationships in an increasingly competitive global landscape. As powers like the United States and China vie for supremacy, understanding the dynamics of weaponized interdependence will be essential for policymakers to address the realities of modern statecraft and economic negotiations.