SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk sparked a conversation across social media after joking about U.S. military bases and Iran. Russian officials weighed in, with Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, urging Musk not to overlook the broader security context: Russia remains a constant factor in global tensions. He posted a response on his social media account after Musk’s remarks.
Medvedev’s reply was direct: “Absolutely! But there are also Russians who pose a threat to everything in the world! Remember that!” he wrote, emphasizing the perceived risks in a global landscape that includes major powers and diverse security actors.
Musk had previously shared a broadcast on 28 October featuring a meme that displayed a map of the Middle East and U.S. military bases around Iranian territory. The image appeared to critique U.S. policy toward Iran and suggested that Tehran’s actions had brought the United States uncomfortably close to Iranian borders.
The post drew significant attention online, with open sources noting that the United States maintains a wide network of overseas military facilities, numbering in the hundreds and surpassing eight hundred in some estimates.
Earlier, Medvedev had spoken positively about Elon Musk, describing him as a voice of reason in North America. In commentary at that time, the deputy chairman referenced Musk’s influence and suggested that the billionaire’s actions could affect how information and communication tools are used in crisis contexts.
Medvedev’s assessments have occasionally touched on Musk’s Starlink satellite service, which has become a subject of debate in relation to Ukrainian connectivity and broader security considerations. The deputy chairman suggested that Musk’s control over such technologies could have strategic implications if applied in certain geopolitical situations.
In the past, Medvedev has contrasted the political climates surrounding different protests, including rallies for Palestine and Ukraine, highlighting how public demonstrations can intersect with technological and strategic interests in international relations. The overall conversation underscores the ongoing interplay between private technology platforms and state security concerns, as major powers reassess the role of private sector innovation in global stability. (Source attributions: Reuters, international reporting, and official social media disclosures.)