Trump’s Transportation Secretary distracts with a reality show launch as a Trump-linked company launches a $4.8 billion IPO.
Recent Items
Monday, May 11, 2026
Coffee Break: Trump Admin Combines Reality Show Nonsense With Very Real Grifting
Topics: Coffee Break
Posted by Nat Wilson Turner at 2:00 pm | 10 Comments »
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.
Topics: Dubious statistics, Globalization, Guest Post, Middle East, Politics, Russia
Posted by Yves Smith at 9:55 am | 4 Comments »
Links 5/11/2026
Topics: Links
Posted by Conor Gallagher at 6:58 am | 43 Comments »
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.
Topics: China, Doomsday scenarios, Economic fundamentals, Energy markets, Media watch, Middle East, Politics
Posted by Yves Smith at 6:54 am | 96 Comments »
The Same Democrats Behind War Crimes ‘R’ Us Are Preparing to Sell You an Imperial Rebrand for 2028
Rhodes, Sullivan, and Schiff’s chief counsel begin crafting a foreign policy for the capitalist class and new messaging for the proles.
Topics: Middle East, Politics, Ridiculously obvious scams, Russia, Social values, Surveillance state, The destruction of the middle class
Posted by Conor Gallagher at 5:00 am | 24 Comments »
Why ‘De-Risking’ May Not Deliver a Large Peace Dividend
Does an increase in bilateral trade reduce the probability of militarized conflict?
Topics: China, Globalization, Guest Post, Risk and risk management, The destruction of the middle class
Posted by Conor Gallagher at 4:00 am | 3 Comments »
Links 5/10/2026
Topics: Links
Posted by Haig Hovaness at 6:55 am | 117 Comments »
The Sunday Morning Movie Presents: The Man Who Stole The Sun (1979) Run Time: 2H 27M Plus Bonus Short Silent Film!
The Man Who Stole the Sun is a movie about ennui and nihilism.
Topics: Guest Post, Sunday morning Antidote movie
Posted by semper loquitur at 6:30 am | 4 Comments »
Criminalizing Childhood: When the Justice System Fails America’s Youth
From child labor to incarceration, U.S. laws often treat youth as disposable rather than nurturing their potential.
Topics: Guest Post
Posted by Conor Gallagher at 5:00 am | 9 Comments »
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 .
Topics: Doomsday scenarios, Economic fundamentals, Energy markets, Media watch, Middle East, Politics
Posted by Yves Smith at 3:34 am | 110 Comments »
Links 5/9/2026
Topics: Links
Posted by Yves Smith at 6:59 am | 106 Comments »
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.
Topics: Doomsday scenarios, Economic fundamentals, Energy markets, Guest Post, Media watch, Middle East
Posted by Yves Smith at 6:57 am | 183 Comments »
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.
Topics: Free markets and their discontents, Guest Post, Health care, Income disparity, Social policy, The destruction of the middle class
Posted by Yves Smith at 4:31 am | 9 Comments »
Coffee Break: Counterfeit Scientific Papers, Deep Fakes, CDC on the Ropes, MAHA, and Hope from the Middle of the Country
Part the First: Paper Mills and the Corruption of Research. No not Hammermill. I don’t think I have actually known of someone buying a “scholarly” paper for publication, and I remember reading (a few paragraphs) only a few that seemed to be purpose built. But following up on The Credibility Crisis in Science from earlier […]
Topics: Coffee Break, Ridiculously obvious scams, Social values, The destruction of the middle class
Posted by KLG at 2:00 pm | 11 Comments »
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?
Topics: Guest Post, Income disparity, Macroeconomic policy, Politics, Social policy, The destruction of the middle class, UK
Posted by Yves Smith at 9:55 am | 45 Comments »



