Technological bottlenecks, the supply-side impact of record oil prices, or many other factors, could thwart progress.

However, an inert bureaucracy, a corrupt military and vested business interests have conspired to thwart progress.

Operational values can advance or thwart progress toward missional values.

When there's money up for grabs, they don't want a language barrier thwarting progress.

Instead, they feel they are thwarting progress.