Think Twice About War, Tech, & Dirty Supply Chains: The Elements of Power with Nicolas Niarchos

Your smartphone feels sleek and futuristic—but the supply chain behind it is anything but. In this conversation with moderator-in-chief John Donvan, journalist and “The Elements of Power” author Nicolas Niarchos showcases how lithium-ion batteries rely on cobalt mined under dangerous, exploitative conditions. Tracing a line from colonialism to today’s U.S.–China power struggle, he asks us to Think Twice on this question: what human and environmental costs are hidden inside the technology that powers modern life? Our Guest: Nicolas Niarchos, Journalist and Author of “The Elements of Power” Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates Join the conversation on Substack—share your perspective on this episode and

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Think Twice About War, Tech, & Dirty Supply Chains: The Elements of Power with Nicolas Niarchos is an episode from Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates by Open to Debate.

This episode is 53:15 long.

This episode was published on Feb 20, 2026.

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