The Grand Strategy Sessions Mohammed Soliman: A Techno-Industrial Strategy
Sep 26, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Mohammed Soliman, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and author on techno-industrial strategy, delves into the importance of industrial policy in reshaping U.S. foreign relations. He highlights the pivotal role of AI in enhancing state power and warns of the scale gap between U.S. and Chinese manufacturing capabilities. The conversation also explores the need for the West to foster partnerships to compete globally and examines the strategic significance of space technology and reindustrialization in ensuring national security.
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The Return Of Asia
- Soliman describes the coming era as the "return of Asia," with Asia becoming the demographic and manufacturing center.
- He predicts global geopolitics will increasingly revolve around Asian dynamics and the U.S.-China contest.
Material Power Returns
- The material foundation of power (industry, infrastructure, manufacturing) is regaining primacy in geopolitics.
- Mohammed Soliman argues techno-industrial capacity, not just ideas or values, will determine state influence in the exponential age.
A Growing Scale Gap
- The U.S. faces a scale gap with China across multiple industries like 5G, solar, and EVs.
- Soliman warns AI and physical-AI could follow the same pattern, becoming channels of Chinese power projection.
