Satyajit Das: Book Essay: Walter Benjamin – Leftist Outsider, Man of Letters
An overview of the acutely observant, enigmatic and quixotic writer and thinker, Walter Benjamin
Read more...Author Archives: Yves Smith
Maine Gov. Mills Urged to Sign ‘Nation-Leading’ AI Data Center Moratorium
The Maine legislature wants to hit pause on data center buildouts. The governor’s silence says she needs a big push to do the right thing.
Read more...Iran War: Pervasive Misinformation About the (So Far Successful) US Blockade; Trump Keeps Up “Negotiations Soon” Hype; Markets Become Even More Unhinged
Today’s Iran war update: the information environment has become hopelessly populated, as reporting on the blockade attests.
Read more...Economic Questions: Guy Standing and the Rise of the Precariat
Guy Standing’s notion of the precariat, and his policy observations and prescriptions.
Read more...They Speak for the Trees: Meet the ‘Petal Protectors’ Guarding NYC’s Cherry Blossoms
Touching or shaking the fragile flowering cherry trees can harm them. Volunteers on Roosevelt Island make sure that doesn’t happen.
Read more...Links 4/14/2026
Iran War: Contested Reports About US Blockade Failure in First 24 Hours as Saudi Arabia Protests and Experts Warn of Difficulty and High Risk; Markets Still Buying Trump Howlers About Iran Begging for Deal Despite Intelligence-Insulting Lie About His Jesus Tweet
Today’s Iran war update: Trump’s blockage of Iran ports looks to be unraveling but Mr. Market will grasp at any happy news straws.
Read more...Kevork Almassian, Michael Hudson, and Tarik Cyril Amar: Has the Iran War Created a New Geopolitical Reality?
How the US is massively hoist on its own petard with its Iran miscalculations
Read more...The Causes & Consequences of Orban’s Downfall
“Most Hungarians came to take Orban for granted and won’t appreciate what they had until it’s gone.”
Read more...Iran War: US Imposing Strait of Hormuz Blockade Monday AM; Experts Criticize Further Pressure on Oil Prices, Illegality, and Risk of Failure; Will Houthis Close the Red Sea to Back Iran?
Today’s Iran war update: Trump again demonstrates his need to dominate results in self, US and global harm, here with a barmy blockade plan.
Read more...Iran War: Negotiations Fail; US Provokes with Destroyer Entry into Strait, Perhaps Pointing to Next Kinetic Moves
Today’s Iran war update: As many anticipated, US-Iran negotiations failed. What comes next?
Read more...Links 4/11/2026
Iran War: Talks Delayed; Concerns That Conflict Destined to Resume; US to Concede Release of Some Iran Frozen Assets?
Iran war: In a telling sign, the start of talks has been pushed back due to disagreements over process.
Read more...‘Disgusting’: Trump’s Top Economic Adviser Brags About Killing 300,000 ‘High-Paying’ American Jobs
A key Trump ally engages in economic malpractice to defend Federal government slash and burn spending cuts.
Read more...God Isn’t Good Enough – The Pope and the US Bishops Are Threatening the Catholic Vote for Trump and His Successors
Trump tries to muscle the Holy See as Catholic voters turn against him and the Iran war.
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