Author Archives: Yves Smith

McCarthy Ouster, Senate Republican Opposition Bode Ill for 2023 Ukraine Funding

Ukraine funding, a big focus of the row over McCarthy’s speakership, is not getting any easier.

BRICS: An Anti-Imperialist Fantasy and Sub-Imperialist Reality? – Patrick Bond

A no-holds-barred critique of BRICS as mainly aspiring to participate in in current organizations, rather than a create new ones.

Justice Department Sues eBay Over Unlawful Sales of Pesticides, Other Products

eBay is often accused of selling fakes, like knockoff Hermes ties. The Feds are suing eBay for selling real, as in really dangerous, wares

Links 10/3/2023

Ukraine’s Unraveling, the Funding Row, and Coalition Wobbles

Project Ukraine is having another bad week.

Happy Talk About US Slowdown a Recession Warning as China Growth Also Weakening

Recession complacency means things are wobblier than they seem.

No Energy Transition Unless Tech Can Make It Cost Competitive: BlackRock

What happens to countries and populations that can’t afford higher cost green energy?

Ukraine Endgame Accelerates as Congress Denies Any Funding in Stopgap Bill and Fico Wins in Slovakia Vote

Project Ukraine is going wobbly.

Links 9/30/2023

Everyone Versus Google: Will Big Tech Be Held Accountable?

Google is in the hot seat, but it’s going to be a “big fight,” warns antitrust expert Mark Glick.

The Neoclassical Growth of China

A model finds that China closely tracked the trajectory of Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Does this claim hold up to close scrutiny?

Links 9/29/2023

IM Doc on the Corruption of Public Health and the Breakdown of Medical Practice in the US

Sadly, famed short seller David Einhorn’s saying applies to US public health: “No matter how bad you think it is, it’s worse.”