Bytes and Bullets: Global Rivalries, Big Tech, and the New Shape of Modern Warfare
Steve Feldstein presents *Bytes and Bullets: Global Rivalries, Big Tech, and the New Shape of Modern Warfare*, a discussion of how technological competition is transforming geopolitical stability and the conduct of modern war. The conversation examines the shift from government-led innovation to breakthroughs driven by private companies, including advances in artificial intelligence and autonomous drones, as well as the strategic consequences of commercialization, China’s expanding capabilities, and the rise of regional powers.
Feldstein will discuss lessons from contemporary conflicts and propose ways democratic nations can respond to the changing balance of technological and geopolitical power. He will be joined by Vera Bergengruen, a *Wall Street Journal* national security reporter who previously covered technology, politics, and national security for *Time*, including reporting from Ukraine, Argentina, and El Salvador.
When: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Showtimes: 7:00 p.m.
Venue: Politics and Prose at The Wharf, 610 Water Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Tickets: Free
Seating: First come, first served
Lineup: Steve Feldstein, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, in conversation with Vera Bergengruen, national security reporter at *The Wall Street Journal*
Discussion: The event focuses on the role of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, private-sector innovation, export controls, commercialization, and emerging international powers in reshaping modern warfare and global competition.
Speaker background: Feldstein is an expert on technology, democracy, and national security who previously held senior positions at the State Department and USAID. His earlier book, *The Rise of Digital Repression*, received the 2023 Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order. His work has appeared in *The Atlantic*, *Foreign Affairs*, and *Lawfare*, and he has been featured by CNBC, C-SPAN, NPR, and the BBC.
Accessibility: To request accommodations or ask about accessibility, email events@politics-prose.com, ideally at least one week before the event. Requests will be considered up to the event time.
Related book: Feldstein’s *Bytes and Bullets: Global Rivalries, Big Tech, and the New Shape of Modern Warfare* is available for preorder as a $30 hardcover, with publication scheduled for September 8, 2026.