When Neil Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface in 1969, he declared it a “giant leap for mankind.” This iconic moment, captured on grainy television screens worldwide, was not merely a triumph of human ingenuity but the result of intense geopolitical competition between the US and the Soviet Union. The rivalry, fueled by the existential anxieties of the Cold War, paradoxically propelled humanity forward. Today, we stand on the threshold of another transformative milestone – achieving practical nuclear fusion. And once again, competition, particularly among the US, China and Europe, may prove critical. Idealists often advocate global cooperation, envisioning pooled resources and collective progress. However, historical realities suggest that competitive pressure often yields faster, more substantial results. The sluggish progress of ITER, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, a collaboration of 35 nations including the US, China, Russia and several European countries, illustrates the inherent inefficiencies in sprawling multinational cooperation.

Initially proposed in 1985, ITER’s schedule has repeatedly slipped, with first plasma now anticipated no sooner than 2034. Development setbacks, bureaucratic inertia, conflicting national interests, inconsistent funding, and prolonged negotiations have significantly hindered progress. Contrast ITER’s delays with the rapid advances of private and national fusion efforts. In the US, ventures such as Commonwealth Fusion Systems, driven by academic ingenuity and substantial private investments, have reached........

© The Frontier Post (Editorial)