by Jason Lowery book ‘Softwar: A Novel Theory on Power Projection and the National Strategic Significance of Bitcoin’ has been retroactively subject to a security and policy review by the Department of Defense (DoD), impacting its distribution and availability.
The review of a serving military officer’s published work raises questions about the government’s possible alignment with national security protocols. Furthermore, the Defense Department’s decision to place the book under security review could indicate that it is concerned that other countries will adopt the theories it advances and that it wants to limit its publication in order to undermine U.S. dominance in the region to insure.
As a US Space Force officer and research fellow at MIT, Lowery explores the concept of Bitcoin’s proof-of-work mechanism as a form of cyber power projection in ‘Softwar’. He argues that Bitcoin could serve as a strategic asset for national security, arguing that the underlying technology could transform cybersecurity and modern warfare.
The DoD’s security and policy review process is designed to prevent unauthorized disclosure of classified information and ensure that published materials do not violate established policies or compromise the security of operations. Such reviews are typically conducted prior to publication and review content related to military operations, technological advances, and national security issues.
The retroactive nature of the review suggests that the DoD may have concerns about sensitive information in the book that could impact national security or reveal protected insights. This action has resulted in limitations on the book’s availability, mandatory revisions, or other restrictions until the review is completed.
Physical copies of “Softwar” have reportedly become scarce, with prices rising to over $300 due to limited supply. While digital copies is still in circulation, the book’s official distribution remains uncertain, pending the outcome of the DoD’s review. Furthermore, the copy is currently archived by the Internet Archive not available following the recent site breach.
Lowery’s thesis has received widespread attention for his innovative perspective on integrating Bitcoin into national defense strategies. Viewing Bitcoin’s proof-of-work as a means of projecting power in cyberspace, he suggests that the digital asset could play a crucial role in securing digital information from malicious actors and reshaping geopolitical power structures.