## Introduction

Iowa has long been a cornerstone of American agriculture, a state where the rich soil has shaped not only the economy but also the political landscape. However, as agricultural concerns evolve, so too does the political dynamic within the state. The forces at play—corporate, political, and cultural—are transforming traditional farming practices and redefining who benefits from Iowa's agricultural bounty. As journalist Art Cullen has meticulously documented, these changes are no...

## Introduction

In recent years, the global demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage has surged, prompting a significant increase in battery production. Chinese firms are at the forefront of this revolution, establishing battery factories across Europe and North America. These developments promise economic benefits such as job creation and investment influx, but they also raise pressing questions about environmental impacts, local politics, and the true beneficiaries of ...