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Digital Revolution, Economic Upheaval

Politique étrangère Articles from Politique Etrangère
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Politique étrangère, Vol. 91, No. 1, 2026
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The digital revolution is profoundly shaking up the economy, with the impact felt well beyond the digital sector itself. Indeed, it is transforming the very concept of value creation. Artificial intelligence represents a new phase that requires a colossal investment in physical infrastructure like data centers. Europe failed to grasp the scale of these changes in time, but it does have certain advantages. 

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Hugo Le Picard is an Associate Research Fellow at Ifri's Center for Geopolitics of Technology, holds a PhD in economics from PSL University and is a tech entrepreneur.

This article is available in French only and has been published in Politique étrangère, vol. 91, n° 1, 2026.

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Digital Revolution, Economic Upheaval

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hugo le picard

Hugo LE PICARD

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Associate Research Fellow, Center for Geopolitics of Technology, Ifri

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Iran: Anatomy of a Power at War

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08 September 2026
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The elimination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking officials at the outset of the 2026 American-Israeli operation did not succeed in bringing down the Iranian regime. The regime had prepared for such a scenario, notably by decentralizing its structures. Moreover, it continues to adapt to war. The power of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is growing at the expense of the Shiite clergy. The security apparatus defends the country’s sovereignty and justifies its actions in the name of raison d’état.

Sophia MAHROUG
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“Remodeling” the Middle East?

Date de publication
08 September 2026
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Chaos continues to spread, seemingly without end, across the Middle East. The Israeli-American attack on Iran has resulted in a clear military and diplomatic failure, but it is paving the way for a regional realignment, the consequences of which remain uncertain. New regional groupings are taking shape, either centered around Israel or built on the prospect of coexistence with Tehran, alongside a decline in American influence and the marginalization of Europe, while China maintains a low-key presence.

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Silicon Valley and War: Lessons from Ukraine

Date de publication
08 September 2026
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Over the course of international conflicts, and particularly in Ukraine, major tech companies have emerged as central actors. Initially subject to wartime maneuvering, they have since become decisive actors in their own right, privatizing a significant share of wartime exchanges, shaping the information flows of societies, and presenting themselves as providers of security. This situation raises important questions about states’ autonomy in making decisions and taking action.

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Does Artificial Intelligence Change the Nature of War?

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08 September 2026
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From Gaza to Ukraine and Iran, current conflicts are being shaped by the arrival of artificial intelligence and robots on the battlefield. The changes under way are so profound that humans risk rapidly losing control over entire aspects of the conduct of military operations. While these technological developments are altering the character of war, their impact on the very nature of war itself remains a matter of debate.

 

 

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Hugo LE PICARD, « Digital Revolution, Economic Upheaval », Politique étrangère, Articles from Politique Etrangère, Ifri, 5 March 2026.
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Digital Revolution, Economic Upheaval