Author Archives: Yves Smith

World Bank Enables Private Capture of Profits, Public Resources

The World Bank insists on private finance or economic recovery but does little to ensure profit-hungry commercial finance serves the public

Links 12/20/2023

US, Allies Opening New Front in Middle East With Escalation Against Houthis Over Shipping Lanes

The US and its allies hope to tamp out Houthi interference with Israel, and derivatively, Red Sea shipments. Will that work?

This Generation’s Problem: Climate Chaos

Climate-change-induced extreme events look more and more imminent.

Israel’s Latest Weapon Against Palestine Is Egypt’s Debt

Will Egypt agree to take in the Palestinian population from Gaza in exchange for the cancellation of its external debt?

Links 12/19/2023

Is It Time To Embrace Geoengineering?

A long and useful recap of geoengineering methods.

Is Neoliberalism Really Dead? Or Does It Live on Like a Zombie?

Neoliberalism is still doing a fine job of zombifying economies, but the doctrine sadly is in rude health.

As Russia Signals It Can Achieve Maximalist Aims in Ukraine, How Would Russia Manage Kiev and Western Ukraine?

Russia is presumably thinking hard about not just how to conclude the war in Ukraine, but what happens the morning after.

We Are Seventeen Years Old

Thank all of you for keeping us fit and feisty after so many years!

Links 12/16/2023

Yanis Varoufakis: Europe’s 15-Year Slump

The survival of the euro has come at the cost of Europe’s permanent stagnation and continuing fragmentation

Western Policymakers Are Panicking Because There Was No Plan B if the Counteroffensive Failed

A recap of how the US and NATO painted themselves in a corner with Project Ukraine.

Hungary Vetos €50 Billion EU Funding Package for Ukraine; Fuming EU Leaders Promise Workaround, but How?

Yet another shot below the water line for sinking Project Ukraine.