All articles from Naked Capitalism
Spanish Politics Take the International Stage: Pedro Sanchez vs. Isabel Ayuso
Spanish politics enters the global stage in Mexico. A clash of progressives vs. conservatives where many have underestimated Pedro Sanchez
Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa: How They Stack Up on Reusing Waste
BRICS members have a lot to teach each other, and the advanced world, about waste reuse.
Links 5/14/2026
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Iran War: Tanker War Lite as Trump Comes Even More Unglued and Real Economy Damage Becomes More Visible
Today's Iran war update: The contest over control of the Strait of Hormuz continues as Congresscritters and the press tally war costs.
China’s Real Estate Reckoning: Lessons from Japan’s Lost Decade
China is still suffering a real estate bubble hangover, with a lot of symptoms similar to Japan's deflation.
‘Hands Off Our Pensions’: Belgian Workers Take to the Streets in General Strike Against Austerity Measures
The latest national strike in a series over a year and a half against policies that a union leader said will heighten inequality and poverty
Coffee Break: Epstein Class All-In on Massie Primary But Do Midterms Matter?
$10 million is being spent in a single primary as Congress abdicates its constitutional role and efforts to manipulate the midterms escalate.
The Russian Triad Is Now on the Same Page Regarding Southern-Emanating Threats from NATO
The most powerful Russian agencies consider how to respond to the risk of a NATO-instigated three-front proxy war.
Links 5/13/2026
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Iran War: Iran Escalates With Threat of Even Higher Level of Enrichment, Assertion of Larger Gulf Control Area as US Revealed to Have Lost 39 Planes and Press Gives Ever More Coverage to Economic Damage; Israel Political Meltdown Could Stymie Further Attacks; Trump More Visibly Losing His Mind
Today's Iran war watch: Iran ups demands as more evidence of US weakness and Trump insanity emerges, and the economy is collateral damage.
The Missing Elephant: India’s Silence on the US-Israel-Iran War
India has repeatedly stated its committment to pursuing an independent path. That resolution is missing in action in the Iran war.
Tech Billionaires Accelerate Homelessness Crisis
Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale leads charge for police state response that sees him and fellow techno-capitalists profit and gain more control.
Coffee Break: Armed Madhouse – Ageing Patriots
For decades, the Patriot missile system has symbolized American technological superiority and alliance reassurance. But modern missile warfare is evolving toward saturation attacks, rapid adaptation,
AI is Hungry for Power and You Are Footing the Bill
AI promises efficiency in offices but its insatiable power needs are making life more costly for communities at large.
Links 5/12/2026
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Iran War: More Trump Sound and Fury as Financial Times and Old Line Neocon Robert Kagan Declare War on Iran Conflict; Plastics and Other Shortages Becoming Visible
Today's Iran war news: Trump is predictably acting as if he is doubling down as criticism from the elites gets much louder.
Is This the End of Keir Rodney Starmer (As UK Prime Minister)?
Starmer's rapid rise and (apparent) fall are symptomatic of a broader trend unfolding across the Davos regimes of the collective West.
How the Green Revolution Went Awry: Food Systems and Policies Undermining Food Security
Big Ag, which has shaped food policies, profits more from "innovations "in food production, processing, and distribution than food security.
Coffee Break: Trump Admin Combines Reality Show Nonsense With Very Real Grifting
Trump's Transportation Secretary distracts with a reality show launch as a Trump-linked company launches a $4.8 billion IPO.
Putin’s Misleading Factoids on Russia-Israel Ties
Many, perhaps in part due to Putin-myth-stoking, think more Israelis are close to Russia than is demonstrably the case.
Links 5/11/2026
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Iran War: Iran’s Response to US Proposal Deemed “Totally Unacceptable,” as Bibi Makes Even More Demands; Xi Summit Confirmed; Crunch in Physical Oil Eases as Traders Back Off
Today's Iran war news: Trump predictably lashes out as Iran refuses to cede any ground in talks. Xi talks are on, likely a further complication.
The Same Democrats Behind War Crimes ‘R’ Us Are Preparing to Sell You an Imperial Rebrand for 2028
Rhodes, Sullivan, and Schiff’s chief counsel begin crafting a foreign policy for the capitalist class and new messaging for the proles.
Why ‘De-Risking’ May Not Deliver a Large Peace Dividend
Does an increase in bilateral trade reduce the probability of militarized conflict?
Links 5/10/2026
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The Sunday Morning Movie Presents: The Man Who Stole The Sun (1979) Run Time: 2H 27M Plus Bonus Short Silent Film!
The Man Who Stole the Sun is a movie about ennui and nihilism.
Criminalizing Childhood: When the Justice System Fails America’s Youth
From child labor to incarceration, U.S. laws often treat youth as disposable rather than nurturing their potential.
Iran War: Momentary Quiet as Iran Withholds Answer on US Proposal; Iran Asserts Control Over Persian Gulf Cables; Debate Over US Destruction of Iran Tankers, Iran Destroyer Attacks
Today's Iran war update: The US and Iran stare at and skirmish with each other as the economy continues to bleed out .
Links 5/9/2026
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Iran War: Iran Yet to Answer US Proposal as Recent Exchange of Fire in Gulf Exposes US Weapons Shortages; More on Poor Prospects for Global Economy, Resumption of Old Normal Gulf Traffic Levels
Today's Iran war news: Iran keeps Trump angrily waiting as recent skirmishes in the Gulf reveal critical US weaknesses.
When Poverty Makes You Sick: The Hidden Cost of Neglecting Youth Health
A detailed look at some of the many mechanisms that translate poverty into sickness and shorter lifespans.
Coffee Break: Counterfeit Scientific Papers, Deep Fakes, CDC on the Ropes, MAHA, and Hope from the Middle of the Country
Part the First: Paper Mills and the Corruption of Research. No not Hammermill. I don’t think I have actually known of someone buying a “scholarly” paper for publication, and I remember reading (a fe
England Is Splitting Apart as Labour Collapses
Labour, as many anticipated, is suffering an epic wipeout per early UK elections results. What might come next?
Links 5/8/2026
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Are the US and Israel Planning to Use Morocco As a Weapon Against Spain?
If Trump was hoping his threats against Spain would trigger a shift in policy in Madrid towards the US-Israel war against Iran, he must be disappointed.
Iran War: Lull Before Expected Big Strikes or Is Trump Stuck?
Today's Iran war news: More dithering and skirmishes. The calm before a big storm or a move to an end with a whimper, not a bang?
Who Gives a Hug – China Changes Its Position Towards Iran, US
China has revised its conditions for a Xi-Trump meeting. China will not be seen as backing US escalation v. Iran and requires negotiations.
Musk vs. Altman: The Feud of a New Elite Bidding for Power
As the new elite is merging with the power structure, expect more feuds; if they stop being public, then we should know why.
Russia’s Threat of a Massive Retaliatory Strike on Kiev Likely Isn’t A Bluff
Putin may be ready to act on a Zelensky assisted suicide request and hurl Oreshniks on Kiev if Zelensky defies Russia's threat to retaliate.
Links 5/7/2026
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Iran War: Iran Pushes Back Against Trump “Deal Is Nigh” as More Evidence of US Failure Emerges, Including Gulf State Mini-Revolt, Even More US Base Destruction, Jet Fuel Price Rise Damage, Conservative Opposition to Trump Climbdown
Today's Iran war news: The US again engages in market-manipulating deal head-fakery as more evidence of its weak position accumulates.
Understanding the Rise in CEO Age
Just like government leaders, the CEO class is becoming more of a gerontocracy. What gives?
Heartland Institute Podcast Questions Whether All Americans ‘Should Have the Right to Vote’
Heartland Institute, an ultra-conservative, climate-denialist, Trump-adjacent think tank, questions whether all adults should vote.
Coffee Break: Self-Dealing and Self-Deluding Two Sides of Trump and His Ilk
The Trump regime's flagrant corruption and obvious irrationality beg the question, 'Are there any rational actors in power today?'
Economic Management in War: Professor Michael Hudson in Discussion with Ian Proud
An informative and wide-ranging conversation of how economic policies can neglect, support, or impede the prosecution of war
Links 5/6/2026
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Iran War: Trump “Pauses” Failed Operation Freedom, Rubio Claims End to Epic Fury With Strait of Hormuz Still Blockaded and Alarms About Real World Damage Rising
Today's Iran war news: Team Trump says it is abandoning Project Freedom and Epic Fury while keeping the damaging blockade and sanctions on.
The Credibility Crisis in Science
Albert Einstein was chosen by Time magazine as the Person of the Twentieth Century. It was a good choice (and now is a good time to read Einstein more than seventy years after his death in April 1955
Karaganov’s Candid Assessment Of Europe Shows The World What Russian Hardliners Think
Russian hardliners are set to become more influential as European leaders vows to escalate against Russia.
Coffee Break: Armed Madhouse – Endangered Warships
Naval point defense is often described as a layered shield. In reality, it is a capacity-limited system operating under severe time constraints. As missile and drone attacks become more numerous and p
The Fertility Panic Is a Racist, Sexist Tool to Push More Austerity
The fertility freakout conveniently ignores that being a mother is not a great deal and that for planetary health, fewer babies is desirable.
Links 5/5/2026
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Iran War: Iran Targets US Warships, US Reports Small Successful Gulf Transit, Iran Hits UAE; Putin Call for Middle East to Be a WMD-Free Zone, Challenging Israel Nuclear Program; US Renewed Strikes Still Look Imminent
Today's Iran war updates: skirmishes flare as Iran contests Trump's lame Operation Freedom; a bigger attack seems likely.
Claudia Sheinbaum Is Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place
The rock is the rising threat of US military intervention in Mexico; the hard place is Sheinbaum's own party's narco-politicians.
“Watch Out for the Chinese Supremacist, Imperialist Mindbenders”
John Helmer looks at a new school of Chinese propaganda and even names names.
Coffee Break: Abundance Bro Seth London & Lis Smith’s Caper Typifies State of the Art Dem Dark Money Schemes
Venture capitalist and Abundance bro Seth London's ambitious dark money scheme employing powerful consultant Lis Smith is best of its loathsome class, but far from alone in backing centrist candidates
HHS’ Healthy Food Agenda Puts Hospitals on Notice About Patients’ Meals
HHS arouses ire via messaging and a gimmick to try to get hospitals to serve less gawd-awful meals.
Links 5/4/2026
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Iran War: Peak Chaos as Trump Announces “Humanitarian” Convoy to Enter Strait to Free Trapped Ships, Soon Walked Back by Officialdom; Negotiations Reported as Collapsing as Iran Toughens Position; UAE Enters War
Today's Iran war news: Trump carries on with his signature chaos-making, but not necessarily to his advantage.
Artificial Stupidity in the Persian Gulf
The planned central hub for American digital—and dollar— supremacy goes up in flames, but Silicon Valley and Washington refuse to learn anything.
US Energy Push In Western Balkans Sparks Tension with Brussels
More boiling the planet for data centers. What’s not to love?
Links 5/3/2026
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The Sunday Morning Movie Presents: Iphigenia (1977) Run Time 2H 8M
Iphigenia is a movie about the tragedy of destiny.
What’s in the Price of a Gallon of Gas?
Energy crises are good times for oil refiners—not so much for the rest of us.
Iran War: Trump Whinges About Iran Proposal, China Rejects New US Secondary Sanctions, Ansar Allah Threatens Saudis
Today's Iran war news: The US and Iran standoff continues, with Trump signaling he still prefers striking to blinking.
Links 5/2/2026
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Iran War: Trump Leans Towards Another Attack on Iran as More Weapons Arrive; Further Confirmation of US Base Damage in Theater; More on War Cost; El Niño as Famine Multiplier
Today's Iran war update: Trump still seems primed to attack again in Iran even as costs to the US and Israel mount.
The Licensing Revolution: Is Resistance to the End of Ownership Futile?
Increased incorporation of software into consumer products like cars means licensing is eroding privacy and ownership.
Coffee Break: American Science in the Crosshairs, Nuclear Nightmares, and a Vision of a Good Life
Part the First: The Attack on American Science Continues, Unabated. A few days ago the president fired the National Science Board (NSB), all twenty-two members of a statutory twenty-five, who served