Author Archives: Yves Smith

Is Realignment the Shape of US Politics to Come?

Trump and his loyalists intend to deliver major changes to US politics. But how realistic is that promise?

Scientists Fear What’s Next for Public Health if RFK Jr. Is Allowed To ‘Go Wild’

On the considerable upset about RFK, Jr.’s nomination to head HHS.

The BRICS, a Geopolitical Challenge Overlooked by the European Union

A discussion of what BRICS might be when it grows up and what that could mean for the EU

Wall Street Journal Show How Medicare Advantage Plans Restrict Medical Services to Sicker Seniors, Leading to Switching to Traditional Medicare

The Wall Street Journal shows how Medicare Advantage plans curb care to sick seniors, leading many to switch to traditional Medicare

Shale ‘Drill, Baby, Drill’ Hits Wall of Capital Restraint

One of Trump’ inflation-cutting plans, more shale production to lower energy prices, is not going to get strong uptake from the industry.

Will Trump End or Escalate Biden’s Wars?

An awfully hopeful take on what Trump might do about America’s “forever wars”.

Global Fury After State Dept Claims Israel Not Violating US Law by Blocking Gaza Aid

US defenses of Israel, this time by pretending the genocidal state is not blocking Gaza aid, are ever more infuriating and lame.

Links 11/13/2024

Bad Samaritans in Foreign Aid

Who’d have thunk it? The notion that foreign aid might be self-interested looks to novel, at least among economists.

Will Ukraine Embrace an Era of ‘War-Wilding’?

Some of Ukraine’s wartime environmental catastrophes, scientists say, can be turned into long-term ecological gains

Links 11/12/2024

Saudi-Iranian Relations Warm as Middle East Braces for Trump’s Return

Supposedly isolated Iran continues to build bridges in its region.

The New Economy and the Tariffs and Tax Breaks to Launch It

Analyses of planned Trump tariffs differ somewhat on the impact, but all find them to be negative. Will the Supremes save Trump from himself?

Why the Enthusiasm for Mass Deportation, A Hard and Likely Largely Losing Way to Deal with Illegal Immigration?

Why the idea of mass deportation is set to become the “Defund the Police” of the right: vague but appealingly absolute, and unworkable.