Category Archives: Economic fundamentals

Good Riddance, Alan Greenspan

Cataloguing some of the less-well recognized ways that Alan Greenspan did tremendous harm to the financial system and citizens at large.

Iran War: Brief Update – JD Vance Acting in Bad Faith, Israel Stressed Even as It Doubles Down on Intent to Stay in Lebanon

Today’s Iran war news: Despite media cheerleading, JD Vance’s repeated displays of dishonesty do not bode well for getting the “deal” ‘done.

What Would Happen if the UK Tried to, or Did, Repay Its National Debt?

The leadership contest in the UK is set to produce yet more flogging of bad neoliberal tropes, so this post provides a needed counterpoint.

Iran War: Iran Snubs US, Walks Out of Direct Talks Due to Trump Threats; Israel Still Refusing to Exit Lebanon; Strait of Hormuz Transits Expected to Stay Low Due to Scrapping

Today’s Iran war post: Ugly antics by Trump led to hard pushback by the negotiators, boding ill for fast progress the US so badly needs.

Iran War: Iran Insists on All “Deal” Sequencing, Above All Israel Exit of Lebanon, as No Date for Talks Set; Israel Immediately Violates New Lebanon Ceasefire; Strait of Hormuz Open or Not?

Today’s Iran war news: The situation is particularly unsettled, so we will limit ourselves to bigger issues.

Michael Hudson and Radhika Desai: Iran Defeated The US Empire. What Happens Next?

A discussion of the plusses and minuses from the US loss against Iran, including possible major changes in the US.

Iran War: “Deal”Coming Unglued; Iran Suspends Start of Negotiations Due to Israel Attacks in Lebanon; Israel Openly Defying US on “Deal” Lebanon Commitments: Iran Reported to Close Strait of Hormuz

Today’s Iran war news: The “deal” goes pear shaped as Israel continues its attacks in southern Lebanon and Iran halts the talks as a result.

Iran War: Trump Capitulates in “Deal” Signed Thursday, Commits to Israel Withdrawal from Lebanon; Considerable Obstacles Remain to Agreement; Oil Cliff in Play, Increasing Iran Leverage

Today’s Iran war update: Trump surrenders to Iran, with Iran set to extract even more if negotiations progress.

Iran War: US Pundit Freakout Over “Deal,” Evidence of Disagreement Over Terms, Bodes Ill for Signing; More on Oil Cliff Risk Versus Hormuz Opening

Today’s Iran war news: Trump’s deal is starting to come unglued as more detail on the oil cliff shows the risk is very much in play.

Iran War: US-Iran Differences Over “Deal”; Israel Still Bombing Lebanon, Expected to Try Other Spoiler Stunts; Oil Cliff Closer Than Most Think as Best Case Strait of Hormuz Reopening Sluggish

Today’s Iran war news: Great uncertainty remains over what is in “the deal” and whether it gets done as the oil cliff is still a real risk.

Silicon Valley’s AI Dreams Face a Blue-Collar Reality

AI energy needs are set to accelerate planetary damage, but in the meantime, they will generate a lot of blue-collar jobs.

Iran War: Iran and US Announce Signing of Memorandum of Understanding for Friday, Amid Doubts About Status of Terms, Israel Sabotage; Iran Claims Blockade and Hostilities on All Fronts to End Monday Night

Today’s Iran war news: For a change, both Iran and Trump say a “deal” really will be signed. But will that come to pass?

Michael Hudson: Debts That Cannot Be Paid Won’t Be

R. C. J. Cranstoun spoke with Michael Hudson on debt, rentierism, and the geopolitical rift around sanctions, energy, and the dollar system

Iran War: Trump Again Whiplashes, Threatens Sustained Bombing, Capture of Kharg Island, Then Touts Plan to Sign Not-Finalized Iran Memo; More on Oil and Metals Squeeze, Plus SpaceX, AI Tidbits

Today’s Iran war post: Trump would have us believe that his 39th “deal is nigh” promise means it is about to happen.