Beyond the battlefield: investigating the business of war

Financial dealings are a central component of all wars, yet when headlines shift rapidly and battlefield developments dominate coverage, long-term follow-the-money reporting often takes a back seat. This panel will examine the experiences of journalists in Israel and Russia who have pursued groundbreaking financial investigations during wartime, exploring why such reporting matters and how it can be done effectively under the pressures of conflict and the fog of war.
From plans to build a marina in Gaza and the involvement of private military firms to the U.S.–Ukraine minerals deal and discussions of Arctic energy cooperation between Russia and the United States during the Trump administration, business interests have repeatedly shaped foreign policy decisions around wars.
Recent examples illustrate the urgency of this work: in Gaza and Israel, American entrepreneurs have engaged in business dealings through private military contractors and pitched reconstruction plans for the Strip, while Hamas has sought to regain control by imposing taxes on citizens. Government-funded NGOs have also expanded their presence in Gaza and the West Bank.
In Russia, investigative journalists have documented how Kremlin-connected businessmen have exploited the spoils of war to increase their wealth, and how private companies have circumvented sanctions to sustain the war effort.
This discussion has relevance far beyond Russia and Israel, as journalists in many countries face similar challenges in exploring how financial dealings shape ongoing conflicts.
Moderated by Vivian Schiller.