{"data":{"id":15538,"title":"KAIZEN: Mobilizing Militias","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/comm-link\/spectrum-dispatch\/15538-KAIZEN-Mobilizing-Militias","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-links\/15538","api_public_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/comm-links\/15538","channel":"Undefined","category":"Undefined","series":"News Update","images":[{"id":389,"name":"KaizenLogoFL3.jpg","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/media\/06567oxyhksh9r\/source\/KaizenLogoFL3.jpg","alt":"","size":946019,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","last_modified":"2013-07-19T05:23:18+00:00","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/389","similar_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/389\/similar"},{"id":26463,"name":"source.jpg","rsi_url":"https:\/\/media.robertsspaceindustries.com\/weozjmuuh3hwh\/source.jpg","alt":"","size":843046,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","last_modified":"2019-09-19T15:49:32+00:00","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/26463","similar_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/26463\/similar"},{"id":27892,"name":"source.jpg","rsi_url":"https:\/\/media.robertsspaceindustries.com\/w3o9r4zgppm77\/source.jpg","alt":"","size":900916,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","last_modified":"2021-09-06T14:48:40+00:00","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/27892","similar_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/27892\/similar"}],"images_count":8,"translations":{"en_EN":"START TRANSMISSION:\nWelcome to another episode of Kaizen. My name is Aaron Schere and I\u2019m here to help guide you through the jump point to financial solvency.\n\nToday, we\u2019ll talk to Vladimir Millar about the rise of militias across the Empire and discuss if this is a long-term trend worth investing in or just a momentary spike. But, before that, let\u2019s take a look at the latest news \u2014 time for Market Breakdown.\n\nPast performance is not indicative of future results. Neither Schere, Kaizen nor Farnes Media Partners guarantees any specific outcome or profit. Before acting on information in this program, you should strongly consider seeking advice from your own financial or investment adviser.\nYesterday, Aciedo announced a series of modifications they\u2019ll be making to the construction pipeline of their comm relay stations. The new design won\u2019t look much different from the stations currently seen across the Empire, but the company insists the changes will be well worth it. The relays will be constructed with new alloys to make the frames both lighter and more durable, as well as incorporate a more modular fabrication technique. Though the updated method does cost more per relay, Aciedo claims it will allow for faster assembly of stations, quicker repair and reduced long-term costs. If it works, Aciedo comm stations may become an even more common sight around the Empire.\n\nNow to the Vega System. Even though the system\u2019s overall economy has lagged since last year\u2019s Vanduul attack, there are growing glimmers of hope. First and foremost, Kastak Arms: the Selene-based personal weapon and armor manufacturer has seen profits surge the last few quarters.\n\nYesterday, the company announced a handful of initiatives that show the company is not one to simply sit on success. Instead, Kastak revealed that it has bought multiple properties in industrial sectors of Aremis that were heavily damaged or completely destroyed in the Vanduul attack. The company has pledged to use local workers to build and staff their new factories at these locations. This appears to be a win for the company, which has suffered product shortages due to high demand, and the people of Aremis, who desperately want to get back to work.\n\nKastak Arms also announced a six month extension of its \u201cHomegrown Heroes\u201d initiative. The program deeply discounts their weapons and armor to residents of the Vega System. Their newest ad campaign, which features survivors explaining how they used Kastak products to protect themselves and their family during the Vanduul attack, has been testing extremely well. Residents of the Vega System have bought their products in record numbers due to the deep discounts and reported all-time low confidence in the government\u2019s ability to protect them.\n\nThat last sentiment is not reserved for Vega alone. Across the Empire, militia membership is on the rise, eclipsing Navy recruitment numbers in some areas. Here to talk about this trend, and how it\u2019s already affecting the market, is Vladimir Millar. As a research fellow at the Kilian-based Empire Defense Initiative (EDI), he specializes in the intersection of public policy and private security forces. Thanks for joining us, Vladimir.\n\nVladimir Millar: My pleasure.\n\nLet\u2019s jump right into it. What do you think is responsible for this trend? Many seem to ascribe this to the recent Vanduul attacks.\n\nVladimir Millar: There are definitely many who are signing up to do their part defending the Empire, but in my eyes, citing the Vanduul as the only driving force oversimplifies the situation. It absolutely is a factor, but so were many other things leading up to the attack, such as the Polo Initiative. The prospect of reduced military spending got a lot of people worried about how the UEE would protect their homeworld. Even though the initiative ultimately failed, many still joined or established militias out of concern that the government would nevertheless reduce funding to the military at some point in the future.\n\nOf course, the opposite has happened since the attack on Vega. Military spending has increased, now becoming a bigger percentage of the UEE\u2019s overall GDP than ever before. Wouldn\u2019t that have alleviated private citizen concerns about their system\u2019s protection?\n\nVladimir Millar: Not at all. Those in systems behind the lines that already saw the military\u2019s efforts as ineffectual have been able to dismiss the higher budget by claiming that military resources are leaving their system for places like Vega or Elysium. The most extreme segment of the militia movement even believes the extra funds aren\u2019t being spent on protecting the Empire and are, instead, lining the pockets of corrupt businessmen and bureaucrats.\n\nMeanwhile, militia membership in systems on the Vanduul front has also increased dramatically. So, even those seeing an increased military presence are following the trend.\n\nAny clue as to their motivation?\n\nVladimir Millar: Some are just anxious to help. They see the Vanduul and crime as the main threats to the Empire and are devoted to helping stop them. The Navy itself has been actively cooperating with these militia groups and many in the military see them as another asset in the ongoing war effort.\n\nOthers militias simply see the military as ineffectual or incompetent. They point to the sharp rise in Vanduul aggressions last year as proof that the military isn\u2019t up to the task alone.\n\nTo follow up then with an obvious question \u2014\n\nVladimir Millar: Why not join the actual military?\n\nExactly.\n\nVladimir Millar: In many cases the hurdles for joining a militia are significantly lower than for joining the Navy or the Army. Outside of physical standards and other skill requirements, signing up for the military is often seen as a major commitment. You have to leave your home, train for months, if not years, and you may be assigned to serve anywhere in the Empire. With militias, people can serve, maintain their home life and even have another job.\n\nThen why not join security contractors or another type of mercenary group?\n\nVladimir Millar: For many of these people, even if they\u2019re receiving a salary, they are fighting for an ideology rather than for profit. They\u2019re not interested in protecting some mining outfit\u2019s shipment of ore, but rather making sure that people like them can live safe and secure lives.\n\nThis is fascinating stuff, but let\u2019s pivot to how the uptick in militias could affect the market. Earlier, I mentioned Kastak Arms\u2019 soaring profits. It\u2019s not hard to see why they\u2019re doing well in the current climate. So, the question I want to ask is if we\u2019ve enter a personal security bubble? Do you believe this enthusiasm for militias is a short or a long term trend?\n\nVladimir Millar: As a researcher, I\u2019m not in the business of making predictions. I collect data, analyze it and try to contextualize it. That said, in all my years at the EDI, I\u2019ve never seen people so eager to take security into their own hands.\n\nObviously, in the short term, this benefits companies like Kastak Arms that provide those products, yet it could also have long terms effects on how companies sell their products to the public.\n\nHow so?\n\nVladimir Millar: Take RSI as an example, and their newest line of capital ships, the Polaris. The ship\u2019s size would normally mean that the Navy would be its primary purchaser, but RSI realized very early on that it would also be ideal for militias. They brought in consultants from various militias to consult on the design of the ship. RSI wouldn\u2019t do that unless they believed there\u2019s a significant civilian market out there for a ship this size.\n\nInvestors certainly think so too. RSI\u2019s stock has been on the rise since the recent reveal of the Polaris. One last question, how long do you see this surge in militias lasting?\n\nVladimir Millar: That\u2019s a complicated one. There are people joining militias because they don\u2019t have faith in the UEE to protect them, and there are people joining because they want to help and support the military. Since there\u2019s significant pro-militia momentum on both sides of this issue, I\u2019ve got a feeling they\u2019ll be here to stay for a while.\n\nThanks to Vladimir from the Empire Defense Initiative for joining us today. We need to go to commercial. When we come back, we\u2019ll see if microTech\u2019s latest line of mobi are meeting investor expectations. That and more when Kaizen returns.\n\nEND TRANSMISSION","de_DE":"\u00dcBERTRAGUNG STARTEN:\nWillkommen zu einer weiteren Episode von Kaizen. Mein Name ist Aaron Schere und ich bin hier, um Sie durch den Sprungpunkt zur finanziellen Zahlungsf\u00e4higkeit zu f\u00fchren.\n\nHeute werden wir mit Vladimir Millar \u00fcber den Aufstieg der Milizen im ganzen Reich sprechen und dar\u00fcber diskutieren, ob es sich um einen langfristigen Trend handelt, in den es sich lohnt zu investieren oder nur um eine momentane Spitze. Aber vorher werfen wir einen Blick auf die neuesten Nachrichten - Zeit f\u00fcr die Marktanalyse.\n\nDie Wertentwicklung in der Vergangenheit ist kein Indikator f\u00fcr zuk\u00fcnftige Ergebnisse. Weder Schere, Kaizen noch Farnes Media Partners garantieren ein bestimmtes Ergebnis oder einen bestimmten Gewinn. Bevor Sie nach Informationen in diesem Programm handeln, sollten Sie dringend erw\u00e4gen, Rat von Ihrem eigenen Finanz- oder Anlageberater einzuholen.\nGestern hat Aciedo eine Reihe von \u00c4nderungen angek\u00fcndigt, die sie an der Baupipeline ihrer Kommunikationsrelaisstationen vornehmen werden. Das neue Design wird sich nicht wesentlich von den Stationen unterscheiden, die derzeit im gesamten Imperium zu sehen sind, aber das Unternehmen besteht darauf, dass die \u00c4nderungen es wert sein werden. Die Relais werden mit neuen Legierungen konstruiert, um die Rahmen leichter und langlebiger zu machen, sowie mit einer modulareren Fertigungstechnik. Obwohl die aktualisierte Methode mehr pro Relais kostet, behauptet Aciedo, dass sie eine schnellere Montage der Stationen, eine schnellere Reparatur und geringere langfristige Kosten erm\u00f6glicht. Wenn es funktioniert, k\u00f6nnten die Aciedo-Kommissionsstationen im ganzen Reich zu einem noch h\u00e4ufigeren Ziel werden.\n\nNun zum Vega-System. Auch wenn die Gesamtwirtschaft des Systems seit dem Angriff von Vanduul im vergangenen Jahr hinterherhinkt, gibt es immer mehr Hoffnungsschimmer. In erster Linie Kastak Arms: Der in Selene ans\u00e4ssige Hersteller von pers\u00f6nlichen Waffen und R\u00fcstungen hat in den letzten Quartalen einen Gewinnsprung erlebt.\n\nGestern k\u00fcndigte das Unternehmen eine Handvoll Initiativen an, die zeigen, dass das Unternehmen nicht nur auf Erfolg setzt. Stattdessen enth\u00fcllte Kastak, dass es mehrere Grundst\u00fccke in Industriegebieten von Aremis gekauft hat, die durch den Angriff der Vanduul stark besch\u00e4digt oder vollst\u00e4ndig zerst\u00f6rt wurden. Das Unternehmen hat sich verpflichtet, lokale Mitarbeiter einzusetzen, um ihre neuen Fabriken an diesen Standorten zu bauen und zu besetzen. Dies scheint ein Gewinn f\u00fcr das Unternehmen, das aufgrund der hohen Nachfrage unter Produktmangel leidet, und die Menschen in Aremis zu sein, die verzweifelt wieder an die Arbeit gehen wollen.\n\nKastak Arms k\u00fcndigte auch eine Verl\u00e4ngerung der Initiative \"Homegrown Heroes\" um sechs Monate an. Das Programm gew\u00e4hrt den Bewohnern des Vega-Systems tiefe Rabatte auf ihre Waffen und R\u00fcstungen. Ihre neueste Werbekampagne, in der \u00dcberlebende erkl\u00e4ren, wie sie Kastak-Produkte zum Schutz von sich und ihrer Familie w\u00e4hrend des Angriffs auf Vanduul einsetzten, wurde sehr gut getestet. Einwohner des Vega-Systems haben ihre Produkte aufgrund der hohen Rabatte in Rekordzahlen gekauft und berichteten von einem allzeit geringen Vertrauen in die F\u00e4higkeit der Regierung, sie zu sch\u00fctzen.\n\nDiese letzte Empfindung ist nicht nur f\u00fcr Vega reserviert. Im gesamten Imperium steigt die Zahl der Milizzugeh\u00f6rigkeit und verdunkelt die Rekrutierungszahlen der Marine in einigen Gebieten. Um \u00fcber diesen Trend zu sprechen und wie er sich bereits auf den Markt auswirkt, ist Vladimir Millar hier. Als wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter an der Empire Defense Initiative (EDI) in Kilian ist er auf die Schnittstelle von \u00f6ffentlicher Ordnung und privaten Sicherheitskr\u00e4ften spezialisiert. Danke, dass du dich uns angeschlossen hast, Vladimir.\n\nVladimir Millar: War mir ein Vergn\u00fcgen.\n\nLasst uns direkt hinein springen. Was ist Ihrer Meinung nach f\u00fcr diesen Trend verantwortlich? Viele scheinen dies auf die j\u00fcngsten Vanduul-Angriffe zur\u00fcckzuf\u00fchren zu sein.\n\nVladimir Millar: Es gibt definitiv viele, die sich verpflichten, ihren Teil zur Verteidigung des Imperiums beizutragen, aber meiner Meinung nach macht es die Tatsache, die Vanduul als einzige treibende Kraft zu nennen, noch komplizierter. Es ist absolut ein Faktor, aber auch viele andere Dinge, die vor dem Angriff standen, wie die Polo-Initiative. Die Aussicht auf reduzierte Milit\u00e4rausgaben machte vielen Menschen Sorgen, wie die UEE ihre Heimatwelt sch\u00fctzen w\u00fcrde. Auch wenn die Initiative letztendlich scheiterte, schlossen sich viele immer noch Milizen an oder gr\u00fcndeten Milizen aus Sorge, dass die Regierung dennoch irgendwann in der Zukunft die Mittel f\u00fcr das Milit\u00e4r reduzieren w\u00fcrde.\n\nNat\u00fcrlich ist das Gegenteil seit dem Angriff auf Vega geschehen. Die Milit\u00e4rausgaben sind gestiegen und haben sich zu einem gr\u00f6\u00dferen Anteil am gesamten BIP der UEE entwickelt als je zuvor. H\u00e4tte das nicht die Bedenken der Privatpersonen \u00fcber den Schutz ihres Systems zerstreut?\n\nVladimir Millar: \u00dcberhaupt nicht. Diejenigen in den Systemen hinter den Linien, die die Bem\u00fchungen des Milit\u00e4rs bereits als ineffektiv betrachteten, konnten den h\u00f6heren Haushalt ablehnen, indem sie behaupteten, dass milit\u00e4rische Ressourcen ihr System f\u00fcr Orte wie Vega oder Elysium verlassen. Das extremste Segment der Milizbewegung glaubt sogar, dass die zus\u00e4tzlichen Mittel nicht f\u00fcr den Schutz des Imperiums ausgegeben werden, sondern in die Taschen korrupter Gesch\u00e4ftsleute und B\u00fcrokraten flie\u00dfen.\n\nUnterdessen hat sich auch die Mitgliedschaft der Miliz in den Systemen der Vanduul-Front dramatisch erh\u00f6ht. So folgen auch diejenigen, die eine verst\u00e4rkte milit\u00e4rische Pr\u00e4senz sehen, dem Trend.\n\nIrgendein Hinweis auf ihre Motivation?\n\nVladimir Millar: Einige sind nur darauf bedacht zu helfen. Sie sehen die Vandule und das Verbrechen als die Hauptbedrohungen f\u00fcr das Imperium und widmen sich der Aufgabe, sie zu stoppen. Die Marine selbst hat aktiv mit diesen Milizgruppen zusammengearbeitet, und viele im Milit\u00e4r sehen sie als einen weiteren Vorteil bei den laufenden Kriegsanstrengungen.\n\nAndere Milizen sehen das Milit\u00e4r einfach als ineffektiv oder inkompetent an. Sie verweisen auf den starken Anstieg der Vanduul-Aggressionen im vergangenen Jahr als Beweis daf\u00fcr, dass das Milit\u00e4r nicht allein der Aufgabe gewachsen ist.\n\nUm dann mit einer offensichtlichen Frage weiterzumachen -\n\nVladimir Millar: Warum nicht dem eigentlichen Milit\u00e4r beitreten?\n\nGenau.\n\nVladimir Millar: In vielen F\u00e4llen sind die H\u00fcrden f\u00fcr den Beitritt zu einer Miliz deutlich geringer als f\u00fcr den Beitritt zur Marine oder zur Armee. Abgesehen von physischen Standards und anderen Qualifikationsanforderungen wird die Aufnahme in das Milit\u00e4r oft als eine gro\u00dfe Verpflichtung angesehen. Du musst dein Zuhause verlassen, monatelang, wenn nicht sogar jahrelang trainieren, und du kannst zugewiesen werden, \u00fcberall im Imperium zu dienen. Mit Milizen k\u00f6nnen Menschen dienen, ihr Privatleben aufrechterhalten und sogar einen anderen Job haben.\n\nWarum sollten Sie sich dann nicht den Sicherheitsdienstleistern oder einer anderen Art von S\u00f6ldnergruppe anschlie\u00dfen?\n\nVladimir Millar: F\u00fcr viele dieser Menschen, auch wenn sie ein Gehalt erhalten, k\u00e4mpfen sie f\u00fcr eine Ideologie und nicht f\u00fcr Profit. Sie sind nicht daran interessiert, die Erzlieferung einer Minengesellschaft zu sch\u00fctzen, sondern daf\u00fcr zu sorgen, dass Menschen wie sie ein sicheres und gesch\u00fctztes Leben f\u00fchren k\u00f6nnen.\n\nDieses ist faszinierendes Material, aber lassen Sie uns an drehen, wie der Aufw\u00e4rtstrend in den Milizen den Markt beeinflussen k\u00f6nnte. Vorhin habe ich die steigenden Gewinne von Kastak Arms erw\u00e4hnt. Es ist nicht schwer zu verstehen, warum es ihnen in der aktuellen Situation gut geht. Also, die Frage, die ich stellen m\u00f6chte, ist, ob wir eine pers\u00f6nliche Sicherheitsblase betreten haben? Glauben Sie, dass diese Begeisterung f\u00fcr Milizen ein kurz- oder langfristiger Trend ist?\n\nVladimir Millar: Als Forscher bin ich nicht in der Lage, Vorhersagen zu machen. Ich sammle Daten, analysiere sie und versuche, sie zu kontextualisieren. Allerdings habe ich in all meinen Jahren bei der EDI noch nie Menschen gesehen, die so begierig darauf sind, die Sicherheit in die eigenen H\u00e4nde zu nehmen.\n\nKurzfristig profitieren davon nat\u00fcrlich Unternehmen wie Kastak Arms, die diese Produkte anbieten, aber es k\u00f6nnte auch langfristige Auswirkungen darauf haben, wie Unternehmen ihre Produkte an die \u00d6ffentlichkeit verkaufen.\n\nWie das?\n\nVladimir Millar: Nehmen Sie RSI als Beispiel und ihre neueste Gro\u00dfschiffslinie, die Polaris. Die Gr\u00f6\u00dfe des Schiffes w\u00fcrde normalerweise bedeuten, dass die Marine ihr Hauptabnehmer sein w\u00fcrde, aber RSI erkannte sehr fr\u00fch, dass es auch f\u00fcr Milizen ideal sein w\u00fcrde. Sie holten Berater verschiedener Milizen hinzu, um sich \u00fcber das Design des Schiffes zu beraten. RSI w\u00fcrde das nicht tun, wenn sie nicht glauben w\u00fcrden, dass es einen bedeutenden zivilen Markt f\u00fcr ein Schiff dieser Gr\u00f6\u00dfe gibt.\n\nDas denken auch die Investoren. Die RSI-Aktie befindet sich seit der j\u00fcngsten Ver\u00f6ffentlichung des Polaris im Aufw\u00e4rtstrend. Eine letzte Frage: Wie lange wird dieser Anstieg der Milizen Ihrer Meinung nach anhalten?\n\nVladimir Millar: Das ist eine komplizierte Sache. Es gibt Menschen, die sich Milizen anschlie\u00dfen, weil sie nicht an die UEE glauben, um sie zu sch\u00fctzen, und es gibt Menschen, die sich anschlie\u00dfen, weil sie dem Milit\u00e4r helfen und es unterst\u00fctzen wollen. Da es auf beiden Seiten dieses Themas eine signifikante pro-milit\u00e4rische Dynamik gibt, habe ich das Gef\u00fchl, dass sie f\u00fcr eine Weile hier bleiben werden.\n\nVielen Dank an Vladimir von der Empire Defense Initiative, dass er heute zu uns gekommen ist. Wir m\u00fcssen zur Werbung gehen. Wenn wir wiederkommen, werden wir sehen, ob die neueste Mobi-Linie von microTech die Erwartungen der Investoren erf\u00fcllt. Das und mehr, wenn Kaizen zur\u00fcckkehrt.\n\nEND\u00dcBERTRAGUNG","zh_CN":"START TRANSMISSION:\nWelcome to another episode of Kaizen. My name is Aaron Schere and I\u2019m here to help guide you through the jump point to financial solvency.\n\nToday, we\u2019ll talk to Vladimir Millar about the rise of militias across the Empire and discuss if this is a long-term trend worth investing in or just a momentary spike. But, before that, let\u2019s take a look at the latest news \u2014 time for Market Breakdown.\n\nPast performance is not indicative of future results. Neither Schere, Kaizen nor Farnes Media Partners guarantees any specific outcome or profit. Before acting on information in this program, you should strongly consider seeking advice from your own financial or investment adviser.\nYesterday, Aciedo announced a series of modifications they\u2019ll be making to the construction pipeline of their comm relay stations. The new design won\u2019t look much different from the stations currently seen across the Empire, but the company insists the changes will be well worth it. The relays will be constructed with new alloys to make the frames both lighter and more durable, as well as incorporate a more modular fabrication technique. Though the updated method does cost more per relay, Aciedo claims it will allow for faster assembly of stations, quicker repair and reduced long-term costs. If it works, Aciedo comm stations may become an even more common sight around the Empire.\n\nNow to the Vega System. Even though the system\u2019s overall economy has lagged since last year\u2019s Vanduul attack, there are growing glimmers of hope. First and foremost, Kastak Arms: the Selene-based personal weapon and armor manufacturer has seen profits surge the last few quarters.\n\nYesterday, the company announced a handful of initiatives that show the company is not one to simply sit on success. Instead, Kastak revealed that it has bought multiple properties in industrial sectors of Aremis that were heavily damaged or completely destroyed in the Vanduul attack. The company has pledged to use local workers to build and staff their new factories at these locations. This appears to be a win for the company, which has suffered product shortages due to high demand, and the people of Aremis, who desperately want to get back to work.\n\nKastak Arms also announced a six month extension of its \u201cHomegrown Heroes\u201d initiative. The program deeply discounts their weapons and armor to residents of the Vega System. Their newest ad campaign, which features survivors explaining how they used Kastak products to protect themselves and their family during the Vanduul attack, has been testing extremely well. Residents of the Vega System have bought their products in record numbers due to the deep discounts and reported all-time low confidence in the government\u2019s ability to protect them.\n\nThat last sentiment is not reserved for Vega alone. Across the Empire, militia membership is on the rise, eclipsing Navy recruitment numbers in some areas. Here to talk about this trend, and how it\u2019s already affecting the market, is Vladimir Millar. As a research fellow at the Kilian-based Empire Defense Initiative (EDI), he specializes in the intersection of public policy and private security forces. Thanks for joining us, Vladimir.\n\nVladimir Millar: My pleasure.\n\nLet\u2019s jump right into it. What do you think is responsible for this trend? Many seem to ascribe this to the recent Vanduul attacks.\n\nVladimir Millar: There are definitely many who are signing up to do their part defending the Empire, but in my eyes, citing the Vanduul as the only driving force oversimplifies the situation. It absolutely is a factor, but so were many other things leading up to the attack, such as the Polo Initiative. The prospect of reduced military spending got a lot of people worried about how the UEE would protect their homeworld. Even though the initiative ultimately failed, many still joined or established militias out of concern that the government would nevertheless reduce funding to the military at some point in the future.\n\nOf course, the opposite has happened since the attack on Vega. Military spending has increased, now becoming a bigger percentage of the UEE\u2019s overall GDP than ever before. Wouldn\u2019t that have alleviated private citizen concerns about their system\u2019s protection?\n\nVladimir Millar: Not at all. Those in systems behind the lines that already saw the military\u2019s efforts as ineffectual have been able to dismiss the higher budget by claiming that military resources are leaving their system for places like Vega or Elysium. The most extreme segment of the militia movement even believes the extra funds aren\u2019t being spent on protecting the Empire and are, instead, lining the pockets of corrupt businessmen and bureaucrats.\n\nMeanwhile, militia membership in systems on the Vanduul front has also increased dramatically. So, even those seeing an increased military presence are following the trend.\n\nAny clue as to their motivation?\n\nVladimir Millar: Some are just anxious to help. They see the Vanduul and crime as the main threats to the Empire and are devoted to helping stop them. The Navy itself has been actively cooperating with these militia groups and many in the military see them as another asset in the ongoing war effort.\n\nOthers militias simply see the military as ineffectual or incompetent. They point to the sharp rise in Vanduul aggressions last year as proof that the military isn\u2019t up to the task alone.\n\nTo follow up then with an obvious question \u2014\n\nVladimir Millar: Why not join the actual military?\n\nExactly.\n\nVladimir Millar: In many cases the hurdles for joining a militia are significantly lower than for joining the Navy or the Army. Outside of physical standards and other skill requirements, signing up for the military is often seen as a major commitment. You have to leave your home, train for months, if not years, and you may be assigned to serve anywhere in the Empire. With militias, people can serve, maintain their home life and even have another job.\n\nThen why not join security contractors or another type of mercenary group?\n\nVladimir Millar: For many of these people, even if they\u2019re receiving a salary, they are fighting for an ideology rather than for profit. They\u2019re not interested in protecting some mining outfit\u2019s shipment of ore, but rather making sure that people like them can live safe and secure lives.\n\nThis is fascinating stuff, but let\u2019s pivot to how the uptick in militias could affect the market. Earlier, I mentioned Kastak Arms\u2019 soaring profits. It\u2019s not hard to see why they\u2019re doing well in the current climate. So, the question I want to ask is if we\u2019ve enter a personal security bubble? Do you believe this enthusiasm for militias is a short or a long term trend?\n\nVladimir Millar: As a researcher, I\u2019m not in the business of making predictions. I collect data, analyze it and try to contextualize it. That said, in all my years at the EDI, I\u2019ve never seen people so eager to take security into their own hands.\n\nObviously, in the short term, this benefits companies like Kastak Arms that provide those products, yet it could also have long terms effects on how companies sell their products to the public.\n\nHow so?\n\nVladimir Millar: Take RSI as an example, and their newest line of capital ships, the Polaris. The ship\u2019s size would normally mean that the Navy would be its primary purchaser, but RSI realized very early on that it would also be ideal for militias. They brought in consultants from various militias to consult on the design of the ship. RSI wouldn\u2019t do that unless they believed there\u2019s a significant civilian market out there for a ship this size.\n\nInvestors certainly think so too. RSI\u2019s stock has been on the rise since the recent reveal of the Polaris. One last question, how long do you see this surge in militias lasting?\n\nVladimir Millar: That\u2019s a complicated one. There are people joining militias because they don\u2019t have faith in the UEE to protect them, and there are people joining because they want to help and support the military. Since there\u2019s significant pro-militia momentum on both sides of this issue, I\u2019ve got a feeling they\u2019ll be here to stay for a while.\n\nThanks to Vladimir from the Empire Defense Initiative for joining us today. We need to go to commercial. When we come back, we\u2019ll see if microTech\u2019s latest line of mobi are meeting investor expectations. That and more when Kaizen returns.\n\nEND TRANSMISSION"},"links_count":0,"comment_count":52,"created_at":"2016-09-27T00:00:00+00:00","created_at_human":"9 years ago"},"meta":{"processed_at":"2026-05-08 00:27:49","valid_relations":["images","links"],"prev_id":15537,"next_id":15539}}