What Happened
Defense Department Invests in Oil and Technology Firms
The Pentagon is investing in private companies, including oil and technology firms, through its Economic Defense Unit. This move is part of a broader effort by the Defense Department to expand its economic influence and reduce its reliance on congressional funding. The investments include stakes in companies such as North American Blue Energy Partners and Intel, and may become permanent. The Pentagon’s actions have raised concerns about the potential for unchecked growth and the blurring of lines between the military and private industry, as reported by The Intercept.