AI is Hungry for Power and You Are Footing the Bill
AI promises efficiency in offices but its insatiable power needs are making life more costly for communities at large.
Read more...Author Archives: Yves Smith
Links 5/12/2026
Iran War: More Trump Sound and Fury as Financial Times and Old Line Neocon Robert Kagan Declare War on Iran Conflict; Plastics and Other Shortages Becoming Visible
Today’s Iran war news: Trump is predictably acting as if he is doubling down as criticism from the elites gets much louder.
Read more...How the Green Revolution Went Awry: Food Systems and Policies Undermining Food Security
Big Ag, which has shaped food policies, profits more from “innovations “in food production, processing, and distribution than food security.
Read more...Putin’s Misleading Factoids on Russia-Israel Ties
Many, perhaps in part due to Putin-myth-stoking, think more Israelis are close to Russia than is demonstrably the case.
Read more...Iran War: Iran’s Response to US Proposal Deemed “Totally Unacceptable,” as Bibi Makes Even More Demands; Xi Summit Confirmed; Crunch in Physical Oil Eases as Traders Back Off
Today’s Iran war news: Trump predictably lashes out as Iran refuses to cede any ground in talks. Xi talks are on, likely a further complication.
Read more...Iran War: Momentary Quiet as Iran Withholds Answer on US Proposal; Iran Asserts Control Over Persian Gulf Cables; Debate Over US Destruction of Iran Tankers, Iran Destroyer Attacks
Today’s Iran war update: The US and Iran stare at and skirmish with each other as the economy continues to bleed out .
Read more...Links 5/9/2026
Iran War: Iran Yet to Answer US Proposal as Recent Exchange of Fire in Gulf Exposes US Weapons Shortages; More on Poor Prospects for Global Economy, Resumption of Old Normal Gulf Traffic Levels
Today’s Iran war news: Iran keeps Trump angrily waiting as recent skirmishes in the Gulf reveal critical US weaknesses.
Read more...When Poverty Makes You Sick: The Hidden Cost of Neglecting Youth Health
A detailed look at some of the many mechanisms that translate poverty into sickness and shorter lifespans.
Read more...England Is Splitting Apart as Labour Collapses
Labour, as many anticipated, is suffering an epic wipeout per early UK elections results. What might come next?
Read more...Iran War: Lull Before Expected Big Strikes or Is Trump Stuck?
Today’s Iran war news: More dithering and skirmishes. The calm before a big storm or a move to an end with a whimper, not a bang?
Read more...Who Gives a Hug – China Changes Its Position Towards Iran, US
China has revised its conditions for a Xi-Trump meeting. China will not be seen as backing US escalation v. Iran and requires negotiations.
Read more...Russia’s Threat of a Massive Retaliatory Strike on Kiev Likely Isn’t A Bluff
Putin may be ready to act on a Zelensky assisted suicide request and hurl Oreshniks on Kiev if Zelensky defies Russia’s threat to retaliate.
Read more...Iran War: Iran Pushes Back Against Trump “Deal Is Nigh” as More Evidence of US Failure Emerges, Including Gulf State Mini-Revolt, Even More US Base Destruction, Jet Fuel Price Rise Damage, Conservative Opposition to Trump Climbdown
Today’s Iran war news: The US again engages in market-manipulating deal head-fakery as more evidence of its weak position accumulates.
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