Why politicians’ complaints that central banks are hurting them by not lowering the cost of money are nearly always wrong.
Thursday, November 5, 2026
Iran War: Trump Freezes as Israel and AIPAC Assess Damage, Vance Admits Iran War as Key to Epic Defeat; White House Clip Touting Trump Defiance Includes “Wolf of Wall Street” Fraudster
Today’s Iran war news: A chastened Trump has held back on his Iran strike plans. But is he relenting or just regrouping?
Satyajit Das: Golden Mythologies
Why gold does not necessarily glitter as an investment.
How China Accidentally Broke the West’s Monopoly Over the Weapons Trade
Not surprisingly,. given how overpriced and fussy US weapons are, China is moving in.
Coffee Break: Armed Madhouse – The Wordsmiths of War
An influential network of think tanks, strategic analysts, and media commentators supplies the language and narratives that legitimize military power. The conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Iran illustrate how sophisticated strategic advocacy can perpetuate ill-advised wars.
Short Supplies of Large Power Transformers Stymie Changes to US Electricity Grid
An explanation of why large electrical transformers have become a chokepoint in grid upgrades and expansion, crimping data center plans.
Hannah Arendt on the Power of Friendship in a Broken World
We have previously discussed Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) in Hannah Arendt, Isaiah Berlin and the Tenor of Our Time. Agree with her or not, she is always a good teacher, and at all times we must choose our teachers carefully. I started reading her work shortly after her death and have kept at it ever since. […]
Midterms Deliver Epic Trump Rebuke. So What Might Come Next?
Trump has taken a very public beating. Will Team Dem show a bit more respect for the will of voters than usual?
Democrats in House Poised to Investigate the Trump Administration
Democrats have been rumbling that they will investigate Trump and his cronies. Will they go ahead or become the dog that caught the car?
Live Thread: US 2026 Midterms Election Night Live Thread
Join the discussion of the 2026 US midterm election results. We’ll be covering the US Senate, House of Representatives and Gubernatorial races and any attempts to interfere in the vote or vote counting.
How Government Spending Can Pay for Itself: The Multiplier Effect Explained
A primer on the fiscal multiplier, a topic likely to come back into vogue as calls for austerity seem set to rise.
Mexico, the Final Frontier of the Global War on Cash
“The message is clear: if you are not inside the digital system, you are increasingly out of the game.”
