Author Archives: Yves Smith
Democrats’ Affordability Message Misses a Key Expense—Student Debt
For many, student debt payments are one of their biggest bills, so why have Dems left it out of their messaging?
Read more...Saudi Arabia’s $5 Oil Detour Is Expensive—and Worth It
Saudi Arabia’s new long route to Asia is viable economically, but how safe is it from further Ansar Allah escalation?
Read more...The Floods of the Future Won’t Come One at a Time
A dangerous collision of storm surge, torrential rain, and sea level rise threaten overwhelming floods, endangering large sections of the US
Read more...Iran War: Heads Explode Over Iran Draft Terms for Strait of Hormuz; Ansar Allah Strike on Saudi Forces, Killing Over 50
Today’s Iran war news: Iran’s draft to Parliament re operating the Strait gives new meaning to the word maximalist as Ansar Allah ramps up.
Read more...Why “Albert Einstein’s ‘Why Socialism?’”?
On Einstein’s important essay “Why Socialism?” along with his considerable involvement in politics and some of his important initiatives.
Read more...Senate Dems Push GOP to Divulge Secret Plan to ‘Attack Earned Benefits Like Social Security’
Republican plans to gut, erm, “reform” Social Security must be brutal since they insist on hiding them till after the midterms.
Read more...Iran War: Iran Agreement With Oman Will Not “Open” Strait of Hormuz as Trump Hypes Non-Existent Talks; Ansar Allah Threatens Red Sea Escalation; Trump-Hegseth Row Over Weapons Shortages
Today’s Iran War news: Over-selling of Iran-Oman Hormuz pact as US arms shortages lead to doctrine change: liberal use of tactical nukes
Read more...Trade Liberalization Never Lifted All Boats
While selective trade liberalization has benefited powerful corporate interests and some others, most have lost out.
Read more...Science, Religion, and Political Omens: The Meaning of Eclipses in Ancient Rome
Eclipses have long caused fear and wonder, and became focuses for divination.
Read more...El-Sayed on Track to Win US Senate Primary, Overcoming AIPAC’s $30 Million Onslaught
Abdul El-Sayed’s opponents, with substantial AIPAC funding, outspent him 11 to 1 but still lost. Israel support is becoming a scarlet letter.
Read more...Links 8/5/2026
Iran War: US Again Fabricates Talks On, “Deal Is Nigh” As Reuters Reports Even Greater Weapons Depletion; Iran Debunks Media Reports on Oman Negotiations v. “Opening”
Today’s Iran war news: Disappointingly, more commentators are repeating Trump bogosity as the weapons and real economy crunch worsens.
Read more...A Brief History of How Countries Sleepwalk Into War
How America’s and other nations’ expectations of war have repeatedly been upended by the reality of fighting.
Read more...Will Climate Change Make Homes Uninsurable?
In many countries, most buyers borrow to purchase homes, with insurance required. Climate change is breaking that model.
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