people that say it doesn't matter should look at the graphs in that article - at that point 20 years ago the 3 other competing nations in this where all (broadly speaking) allies, totally different than a potential adversary holding a near monopoly on essential tools.

people just don't believe it, simple as that. Organization's like this have usually been long-marched, and are frequently caught fiddling the data. End of story for most people unless you are already inclined to think this way.