There are standard metrics that economists use to gauge the health of a nation. GDP, median income and balance of trade are common. To measure the health of a manufacturing economy, production of semi-finished goods like steel and aluminum are a common measurement. Today, software is an important factor as well, but consumption of a few key inputs is a good proxy for the economic health of a modern nation. Semiconductors are one of those key inputs, and a recent, low-key statement from the Semiconductor Industry Association about Russia revealed something important about that nation’s economy. Jim Anderton explains.

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