Author Archives: Yves Smith

Yellen Plans To Confront China For ‘Unfair’ Clean Energy Subsidies

Treasury Secretary Yellen is complaining to China about allegedly improper green energy subsidies. But is her beef well founded?

Tweaking US Trade Policy Could Hold the Key to Reducing Migration from Central America

How much of a role did a mid-2000s Central America trade deal play in the migration surge to the US from the region?

Of Life and Lithium

A look at the implications of demand for lithium thanks to plans to increase electric vehicle sales.

IMF, in a Quiet Slap to the US, Urges Non-Alignment in Second Cold War

When you’ve lost the IMF…..

Democrats Furiously Finger-Wagging Over Billionaire Nicole Shanahan as RFK, Jr.’s Vice Presidential Pick

A short look at the Democrat-aligned-press breakdown over the RFK, Jr. choice of Silicon Valley’s Nichole Shanahan as his VP.

The Crocus City Hall Attack – An Operational Failure

The Crocus City Hall attack does not appear to have achieved any of its presumed aims, beyond the death count.

Western Wind Turbine Manufacturers Struggle to Compete with Chinese Pricing

The US, UK and Europe fall behind China in a supposed priority area, wind turbines.

Baltimore Bridge Crash: Risk Management Questions

Why it’s a mistake to think of the Baltimore bridge collapse as catastrophic bad luck.

Links 3/27/2024

Prolegomena to an Understanding of the Replication Crisis in Science

Taking stock of the state of science’s replication crisis on the 20 year anniversary of JPA Ioannidis’ seminal article.

A Weak Spot in Carbon Sequestration: Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells

Carbon stored underground could leak through old wells. How regulators plan to handle that is under scrutiny.

The Evidence on the Crocus Gang Attack in Moscow

An update on information and conjectures about the Crocus City Hall massacre.

Links 3/26/2024

Mapping the Economic Costs of War

Looking at the economic impact of war on neighboring countries, including ones not part of the theater of conflict.