Author Archives: Yves Smith

Labour Is Becoming the Enemy of the Vulnerable and the Disabled

Labour goes all in for cutting social spending, first for the disabled, almost certainly with the excuse that it’s needed to fund rearming.

Links 3/11/2025

Charting the Uncharted: The (Un)intended Consequences of Oil Sanctions and Dark Shipping

An estimate of the magnitude of dark-shipped oil suggests that removing sanctions would raise, not lower, oil prices.

DOGE: Chaos, Damage, Drama Not Enough to Cover the Stench of Corruption

DOGE is up to even more no good than you imagined.

Climate Change: Insuring the World of Tomorrow

Leading edge conventional wisdom on the role of insurance as climate disasters increase underestimates the severity of the problem.

Links 3/8/2025

How Trump’s $2B Court Battle Over Foreign Aid Could Reshape Executive Authority

Why the Trump effort to cut USAID funding without following Congressional requirements is a key front in the battle over Presidential power

How Scientists Can Adapt to a New Normal

In the wake of attacks on the research enterprise, scientists need to focus on protecting its fragile infrastructure.

As US Markets Look a Bit Wobbly, the Press Looks for the Next Crisis in the Rear View Mirror

The Wall Street Journal worried about the giddy mood at the annual structured industry conference. But is where to look for the next crisis?

Trump Presents the Gravest Threat to Social Security in Its 90-Year History

Cuts to the Social Security Administration are cuts to Social Security. Raise hell with your Congresscritters about this looting

New Analysis from Economists for Ukraine: The Cost of US Aid to Ukraine Is Less Than Half the Official Figures

A granular analysis of US military and direct aid to Ukraine finds the official tallies are greatly overstated.

France, Germany, & Poland Are Competing For Leadership Of Post-Conflict Europe

France, Germany and Poland are reacting to how relations between Russia, and the US will determine Europe’s future security architecture.