~ Today’s Water Cooler ~
Recent Items
Saturday, February 7, 2026
2:00PM Water Cooler 11/1/2022
Topics: Guest Post, Water Cooler
Posted by Lambert Strether at 2:00 pm | 117 Comments »
Stop Worshiping Central Banks
Preoccupied with ‘credibility’ and reputations, central banks are again driving the world into recession, financial turmoil and debt crises.
Topics: Banking industry, Currencies, Economic fundamentals, Federal Reserve, Free markets and their discontents, Globalization, Guest Post, Politics, Regulations and regulators, The destruction of the middle class, The dismal science
Posted by Yves Smith at 9:55 am | 41 Comments »
Links 11/1/2022
Topics: Links
Posted by Yves Smith at 6:58 am | 175 Comments »
Is Venezuela’s US-Appointed “Interim” President Juan Guaidó On His Way Out?
Gauidó has long outlived his usefulness. Now, he and the “interim” government he fronts are an obstacle in the way of reopening Venezuela’s oil market to US oil majors.
Topics: Guest Post
Posted by Nick Corbishley at 6:45 am | 21 Comments »
“Nikkei-Owned Financial Times Begins to Crack on Sanctions”
Some serious whinging from Japan about the supposedly new and improved oil and gas sanctions on Russia.
Topics: Commodities, Economic fundamentals, Energy markets, Europe, Japan, Politics, Russia
Posted by Yves Smith at 6:25 am | 31 Comments »
The U.S. Diesel Shortage Is Worsening
That diesel shortage we warned you about is arriving. So what is likely to happen?
Topics: Economic fundamentals, Energy markets, Free markets and their discontents, Guest Post, Income disparity, Politics
Posted by Yves Smith at 6:11 am | 28 Comments »
2:00PM Water Cooler 10/31/2022
~ Today’s Water Cooler ~
Topics: Water Cooler
Posted by Lambert Strether at 2:00 pm | 134 Comments »
Russia Accuses West of Trying to Replicate Ukraine Strategy in Armenia
Moscow accuses the West of using an Ukraine-style strategy in Armenia as more players enter the fold and the situation in the South Caucuses risks spiraling out of control.
Topics: China, Doomsday scenarios, Energy markets, Europe, Guest Post, Middle East, Russia, Turkey
Posted by Conor Gallagher at 9:55 am | 13 Comments »
Electro-Shock Therapy for Slow Learners in the Ukraine Electric War (Part III)
Russia launches another high-intensity attack on Ukraine’s electric grid, and John Helmer continues his analysis of Russia’s strategy.
Topics: Doomsday scenarios, Economic fundamentals, Energy markets, Guest Post, Infrastructure, Politics, Russia
Posted by Yves Smith at 6:32 am | 34 Comments »
‘A Brazil of Hope’ as Leftist Lula Defeats Far-Right Bolsonaro in Presidential Runoff
Lula is BAACK! A big night for Brazil!
Topics: Environment, Free markets and their discontents, Guest Post, Income disparity, Politics, Social values
Posted by Yves Smith at 6:00 am | 28 Comments »
Is The IEA Too Optimistic About The Energy Transition?
The IAE says the Ukraine War and the energy crisis are speeding up the global energy transition, but a closer look shows there are reasons to be doubtful.
Topics: Dubious statistics, Energy markets, Environment, Europe, Russia, Technology and innovation
Posted by Conor Gallagher at 4:50 am | 15 Comments »
The Ongoing Criminalization of Homelessness
States and localities across the US continue to pass laws criminalizing “public camping” and other draconian crackdowns on the increasing number of homeless people in the country.
Topics: Banana republic, Free markets and their discontents, Social policy, Social values, Surveillance state, The destruction of the middle class
Posted by Conor Gallagher at 9:55 am | 106 Comments »
Haitians, Peace Activists Denounce Plan for Another US-Backed Intervention
Haitians are saying “no to armed invasion from the international community, because every time there is the so-called ‘help’ invasion… it results in chaos,” said one activist.
Topics: Free markets and their discontents, Globalization, Guest Post
Posted by Conor Gallagher at 6:50 am | 8 Comments »



