Author Archives: Yves Smith
How a US/Israeli Strike on Iran Could Ignite a Wider Conflict
Neither Iran nor Trump look likely to blink in their regime change staredown. What happens if the US proceeds and can’t win quickly?
Read more...Why Venezuela’s Oil Comeback Is Proving Harder Than Trump Expected
Quelle surprise! More on how Venezuela’s oil production prospects fall way short of Trump hucksterism.
Read more...Trump Support Negative Even Among White Working Class; Approval of His Agenda at Only 27%
Trump’s approval ratings continue to slide, even before polls register the effect of the ICE executions. But does that mater to him any more?
Read more...Is Your Pension Safe?
An important reminder about how pensions work and the risks of various types.
Read more...The US Dollar: Not a Traditional Safe Haven
Why the dollar is more of a safe haven than it might seem, despite Trump’s persistent undermining.
Read more...Iran War Watch
The US is acting like it is hot for war with Iran. Trump is moving so many military assets that it will be hard to climb down. What next?
Read more...ICE Not Only Looks and Acts Like a Paramilitary Force – It Is One, and That Makes It Harder to Curb
Why it is important to recognize that ICE is a paramilitary operation. Among other things, they are harder to reform than traditional police.
Read more...Defeat of the West – Michael Hudson and Lena Petrova on Davos Panic, Destruction of the EU & Economic Collapse
Michael Hudson and Lena Petrova discuss the breakdown of the US-led order, Trump’s misguided efforts to maintain primacy, and what comes next
Read more...Satyajit Das: Book Essay – Measuring Progress
Carl Benedikt Frey traces the history of technological innovation. But does that constitute progress?
Read more...Population Growth Slows to Crawl, Net Migration May Turn “Negative”: Census Bureau’s New Population Estimates
Population stagnation or even shrinkage has major implications for prospects for housing, employment, and consumer spending.
Read more...Links 1/28/2026
More Evidence of Destructive Deflation in China
China’s deflation crunch is getting worse.
Read more...Creative Energy Diplomacy Might Avert Another American Attack On Iran
Trump needs a face-saving way to de-escalate with Iran. Is an energy deal possibe?
Read more...Retro Fever: Cranking Back the Years
From Trump on down, the US is particularly keen on the retrograde.
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