Category Archives: Middle East

‘Are We Really Such Idiots?’ US Increases Stranglehold on EU Energy Supply with Growing Role in Caucasus

The US is now effectively gatekeeper to EU energy supplies running through the Caspian and Black Sea regions, and hardly anyone in power seems to mind.

Iran War: Hezbollah Rejects Israel-Favoring Ceasefire, Casting More Doubt on “Deal”: Iran Agrees to Inspection of Bushehr Plant but No Enriched Uranium Concessions; Trump Warned of Oil Cliff as Private Debt Fund Wobbles Rise

Today’s Iran war news: The US-Iran impasse is undeniable to everyone ex Team Trump as Israel balks and the oil cliff comes ever closer.

Iran War: US Attempts Project Freedom 2.0 as Israel Continues Attacks in Lebanon Despite Alleged Ceasefire; Iran Economy Not Harmed by Sanctions, Performed on a Par to Saudis; Rice Prices Jump in Asia

Today’s Iran war update: Iran punched back harder than the US expected in the latest exchange, but Israel still refuses to stop war-making.

Iran War: Rubio Testimony Raises Questions as to Why Iran Is Bothering With Talks; Intensified Tit-for-Tat Attacks Continue; US Muscles Oman

Today’s Iran war update: The kinetic war is heating up as the US keeps demanding things of Iran that Iran has already rejected.

Iran War: Iran Rug Pulls Trump by Suspending Talks Over Ceasefire Violations, Escalating with Demands to End Attacks in Gaza and West Bank, Threat to Close Hormuz and Choke Bab El-Mandab; More on How Hormuz Traffic Will Stay Low Even if “Deal” Agreed

Today’s Iran war news: Iran demands a end to hostilities on all fronts or Bad Things happen. Trump choke chained Bibi…but will that last?

Iran War: New Reports of Agreement on Memo of Understanding Effectively Shot Down by Bessent as He Also Repeats Threats Against Oman; Israel Attacks Beirut; More Warnings of Energy Price Cliff Plus Claim Trump Made Illegal Below-Market SPR Sales

Today’s Iran war news: More Axios “deal is sealed” fake news as real economy costs of continued conflict look even more dire.

It’s Not Just High Gas Prices – Inflation Is Now Spreading Through the US Economy

Inflation is rising and set to become more severe and puts the Fed in a bind.

Iran War: US Attacks Iran for Second Day as Trump Rejects Leaked Iranian Outline of Terms, Threatens to Bomb Oman; US Draining of Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Contain Energy Prices Means Energy Cliff Arrives Sooner

Today’s Iran war update: The US and Iran trade blows as Trump forcefully rejects fundamental Iran demands and Israel pounds Lebanon.

Iran War: Negotiations Deadlocked on Fundamental Issues as Media Keeps Up Happy Talk; Iran Promises Retaliation as US Still Coiled to Strike

Today’s Iran war news: Much of the media depicts to-ing and fro-ing as progress while Israel escalates in Lebanon and the energy cliff nears

And Then There Was One: The Eurasian Unity Project Runs Out of Trade Route Options as Washington Successfully Spreads Chaos

With multiple other routes coming undone Beijing ramps up efforts for a corridor through Iran and Türkiye to Europe.

Iran War: US and Iran Exchange Fire as Trump Reveals Extent of Israel Capture With Barmy Abrams Accord Proposal; Continued Denial of Approaching Energy Crunch After Reserves Depleted

Iran war news: Negotiations are supposedly advancing despite a US attack, a fiery Khamenei speech, and Israel declaring “full war” in Lebanon

Iran War: Trump-Claimed Agreement Coming Apart as Iran Sticks to Long-Held Positions and Republican Stalwarts Rebel; Experts Argue It May Be Only to Temporize

Today’s Iran war news: As the latest Iran war “deal” comes unglued, it looks like it was intended merely to hit the pause button….why?

Iran War: Trump Announces Iran Deal with Iran Already Disputing His Claims; Hawk Heads Exploding; Even if Pact Concluded, Strait of Hormuz Traffic Expected to Reach Only 40% of Old Level by Year End

Today’s Iran war update: Trump says he has a deal. Iran begs to differ as to what it would amount to.

Iran War: Trump and Top Officials Cancel Holiday Plans, Suggesting Imminent Attack; Walmart Reports Consumers Self-Rationing Gas

Today’s Iran war news: Negotiations are now at an impasse and Trump is taking visible steps consistent with new attacks.

Fearless commentary on finance, economics, politics and power

Category Archives: Middle East

‘Are We Really Such Idiots?’ US Increases Stranglehold on EU Energy Supply with Growing Role in Caucasus

Iran War: Hezbollah Rejects Israel-Favoring Ceasefire, Casting More Doubt on “Deal”: Iran Agrees to Inspection of Bushehr Plant but No Enriched Uranium Concessions; Trump Warned of Oil Cliff as Private Debt Fund Wobbles Rise

Iran War: US Attempts Project Freedom 2.0 as Israel Continues Attacks in Lebanon Despite Alleged Ceasefire; Iran Economy Not Harmed by Sanctions, Performed on a Par to Saudis; Rice Prices Jump in Asia

Iran War: Rubio Testimony Raises Questions as to Why Iran Is Bothering With Talks; Intensified Tit-for-Tat Attacks Continue; US Muscles Oman

Iran War: Iran Rug Pulls Trump by Suspending Talks Over Ceasefire Violations, Escalating with Demands to End Attacks in Gaza and West Bank, Threat to Close Hormuz and Choke Bab El-Mandab; More on How Hormuz Traffic Will Stay Low Even if “Deal” Agreed

Iran War: New Reports of Agreement on Memo of Understanding Effectively Shot Down by Bessent as He Also Repeats Threats Against Oman; Israel Attacks Beirut; More Warnings of Energy Price Cliff Plus Claim Trump Made Illegal Below-Market SPR Sales

It’s Not Just High Gas Prices – Inflation Is Now Spreading Through the US Economy

Iran War: US Attacks Iran for Second Day as Trump Rejects Leaked Iranian Outline of Terms, Threatens to Bomb Oman; US Draining of Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Contain Energy Prices Means Energy Cliff Arrives Sooner

Iran War: Negotiations Deadlocked on Fundamental Issues as Media Keeps Up Happy Talk; Iran Promises Retaliation as US Still Coiled to Strike

And Then There Was One: The Eurasian Unity Project Runs Out of Trade Route Options as Washington Successfully Spreads Chaos

Iran War: US and Iran Exchange Fire as Trump Reveals Extent of Israel Capture With Barmy Abrams Accord Proposal; Continued Denial of Approaching Energy Crunch After Reserves Depleted

Iran War: Trump-Claimed Agreement Coming Apart as Iran Sticks to Long-Held Positions and Republican Stalwarts Rebel; Experts Argue It May Be Only to Temporize

Iran War: Trump Announces Iran Deal with Iran Already Disputing His Claims; Hawk Heads Exploding; Even if Pact Concluded, Strait of Hormuz Traffic Expected to Reach Only 40% of Old Level by Year End

Iran War: Trump and Top Officials Cancel Holiday Plans, Suggesting Imminent Attack; Walmart Reports Consumers Self-Rationing Gas

Tip Jar