Author Archives: Yves Smith

Trade War: How Tensions Have Risen Between China, the EU and the US

A very useful recap of trade measures taken so far and potential impacts of various threats made by the US, China, and EU.

Links 5/16/18

Ecuador Hints It May Hand Over Assange

Assange’s luck in staying out of the hands of the US may be coming to an end.

Bill Black: Fair Seas and Following Wind John McCain

A missive from Bill Black to Senator McCain.

Announcing Birmingham Meetup for Next Wednesday, May 23

Announcing our meetup in Birminingham next week.

Do Not Even Consider Using the Voice Over Internet Service Vonage

Vonage deserves to die as a business for what they have put me through.

Official Unemployment Is at 3.9%? Economist Robert Pollin Says It Is More Like 12%

Why the headline unemployment numbers give a wildly rosy picture of the state of US labor markets.

Back to the Future with Empire Oil

A network of oil companies arond Mayfair, but registered in Britain’s offshore tax-haven network, provides a snapshot of the new imperialism.

Links 5/15/18

Corbyn Backs Hard Brexit

Jeremy Corbyn links arms with Theresa May on Brexit.

CalPERS Chief Investment Officer Ted Eliopoulos to Leave at Year End; Investment Office Adrift Due to Senior Level Vacancies

Why the departure of Ted Eliopoulos from CalPERS could wind up being the end of an era.

Update: CalPERS Chief Financial Officer Charles Asubonten Now Not Presenting at Board Meeting Today

A bit of evidence suggests that Charles Asubonten may be on his way out of CalPERS.

Trump Willing to Give a China a Break on Sanctions Against ZTE Electronics. What Gives?

Trump again does what he seems to do best, the unexpected, with a Sunday tweet offering a break to sanctioned Chinese electronics maker ZTE. How does this fit into the US-China trade spat?

Michael Klare: Gearing Up for the Third Gulf War

Thinking about the now-too-thinkable: what a new Gulf War would look like.

Links 5/12/18