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The Shrewd Economist
Democracy is an illusion! It’s become a political system fostered by the élite, for the élite, in order to fool the people that they have a stake in the system. In actual fact, they have virtually none. The whole political system in the modern era, despite having noble beginnings, is now used to benefit the few at the expense of the many. – Mark Alexander, June 29, 2018
July 27, 2026
The Ivanka Trump, Kanye West Albania Situation Is Crazy
July 27, 2026 | For more than a decade, Albanian Prime Minster Edi Rama has been viewed as the liberal, cosmopolitan face of a rapidly changing Albania.
The reality behind this façade, however, is much different, and recent events highlighted by both Ivanka Trump and Kanye West are exposing the true nature of one of Europe's favorite politicians.
The reality behind this façade, however, is much different, and recent events highlighted by both Ivanka Trump and Kanye West are exposing the true nature of one of Europe's favorite politicians.
Why Is Germany’s Far Right Winning Young Voters?
July 27, 2026 | In Germany the radical right is on the rise. The Alternative for Germany, or AfD, has gone from the fringes to the second largest party in federal government. And it is expected to win more state elections this autumn.
So how did the AfD become so popular in a country that's worked so hard to distance itself from its fascist history? And could it be stopped?
Guest: Oliver Moody, Berlin correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Micaela Arneson, Olivia Case, Jesse Fox.
So how did the AfD become so popular in a country that's worked so hard to distance itself from its fascist history? And could it be stopped?
Guest: Oliver Moody, Berlin correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Micaela Arneson, Olivia Case, Jesse Fox.
Labels:
AfD,
Alternative für Deutschland,
Germany
Nick Clegg: No Other Country Has Punched Itself in the Face Like Britain
Labels:
Brexit,
Nick Clegg
Steve Rosenberg: "Back to Square One": Russian Newspaper Downbeat on Ukraine War Diplomacy
Labels:
Russia,
what the papers say
Alastair Campbell on Why Andy Burnham Could Succeed Where Others Failed | Talk to Al Jazeera
July 26, 2026 | Alastair Campbell, former spokesman to UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, says Brexit left Britain weaker and less confident, triggering years of political instability and seven prime ministers in a decade.
He believes Andy Burnham has the empathy and leadership to turn the country around, but only if he can rebuild the economy, restore trust and lead the UK beyond the Brexit era. He warns that the Labour Party must win on its own agenda; not by trying to out-Reform Reform or out-Green the Greens.
He believes Andy Burnham has the empathy and leadership to turn the country around, but only if he can rebuild the economy, restore trust and lead the UK beyond the Brexit era. He warns that the Labour Party must win on its own agenda; not by trying to out-Reform Reform or out-Green the Greens.
Labels:
Andy Burnham,
Brexit
July 26, 2026
Trump Aides ‘Don’t See a Way Out’ of Iran War: Senator Whitehouse | The Bottom Line
July 26, 2026 | The Americans who voted for President Donald Trump are seeing a “wholesale violation” of his campaign promise to avoid unnecessary wars, especially the United States-Israel war on Iran,
US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse argues. The Democrat tells host Steve Clemons that the Iran war has been “managed just spectacularly incompetently and dishonestly”.
Other countries increasingly see the US as similar to “some of the worst-behaved countries they have to deal with, where bribe requests, side deals, personal favours and ulterior motives are really what’s going on,” Whitehouse says. He adds that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “hasn’t been a good friend”.
US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse argues. The Democrat tells host Steve Clemons that the Iran war has been “managed just spectacularly incompetently and dishonestly”.
Other countries increasingly see the US as similar to “some of the worst-behaved countries they have to deal with, where bribe requests, side deals, personal favours and ulterior motives are really what’s going on,” Whitehouse says. He adds that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “hasn’t been a good friend”.
Labels:
Donald Trump
Proof That Elon Musk Has No Idea What He's Talking About
This is an excellent video, but it would be so much better if the lip movements were in sync with the speech! — © Mark Alexander
Labels:
Elon Musk
July 25, 2026
This Iran War Escalation Could Crash the Global Oil Market
Labels:
global oil market,
Iran War,
Yemen
Saudi Arabia vs. UAE: How the Iran War Deepened This Gulf Rivalry | Mapped Out
July 25, 2026 | Saudi Arabia and the US have announced a nuclear deal that has rocked the Gulf. The landmark agreement would establish a civilian nuclear program in Saudi Arabia with the help of US companies. Critics fear it could lead to Saudi Arabia developing nuclear weapons or even set off a nuclear arms race in the Gulf.
This deal is likely to be a new layer of a deep-seated and bitter rivalry in the Gulf, between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The UAE already has a nuclear deal with the US, albeit a less extensive one.
The news of this controversial deal follows attacks from Iran on the Gulf in the context of the US-Israeli war on Iran. This war has transformed the Gulf and sharpened the Saudi-UAE rivalry further.
The countries' leaders Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) of Saudi Arabia and Mohammed bin Zayed (MbZ) of the UAE used to be bros, but their race to dominate the Gulf has soured the relationship.
From trying to build the biggest skyscraper like Burh Khalifa and Jeddah Tower, to buying up football clubs like Manchester City and Newcastle United, Saudi Arabia and the UAE will compete on anything. But this competition is fuelling conflicts in Sudan and Yemen with devastating human consequences.
As the US withdraws from its role as security guarantor in the region, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are scrambling to align themselves with new partners. The UAE is particularly working with Israel and might even be building and sharing military facilities with them in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia.
Can these neighbors find any common ground — or might this rivalry and the possible new nuclear deal split the Middle East even more?
This deal is likely to be a new layer of a deep-seated and bitter rivalry in the Gulf, between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The UAE already has a nuclear deal with the US, albeit a less extensive one.
The news of this controversial deal follows attacks from Iran on the Gulf in the context of the US-Israeli war on Iran. This war has transformed the Gulf and sharpened the Saudi-UAE rivalry further.
The countries' leaders Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) of Saudi Arabia and Mohammed bin Zayed (MbZ) of the UAE used to be bros, but their race to dominate the Gulf has soured the relationship.
From trying to build the biggest skyscraper like Burh Khalifa and Jeddah Tower, to buying up football clubs like Manchester City and Newcastle United, Saudi Arabia and the UAE will compete on anything. But this competition is fuelling conflicts in Sudan and Yemen with devastating human consequences.
As the US withdraws from its role as security guarantor in the region, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are scrambling to align themselves with new partners. The UAE is particularly working with Israel and might even be building and sharing military facilities with them in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia.
Can these neighbors find any common ground — or might this rivalry and the possible new nuclear deal split the Middle East even more?
Labels:
Persian Gulf,
Saudi Arabia,
UAE
Pulitzer Winner Ada Ferrer Explains What Exile Really Means | The Moment Podcast
Jul 22, 2026 | For Ada Ferrer, making sense of the ties between the United States and Cuba has always been personal. Brought to New Jersey as a baby, she became an immigrant before she could even talk, joining what is now a diaspora of over 2.9 million people. Ferrer went on to become one of the country's leading historians of the Caribbean island and a Pulitzer Prize-winning author.
Ferrer joins Jorge and Paola to unpack the latest chapter in the decades-long relationship between the two countries and what the worst-case scenario could be for Cubans. They also discuss her new book, Keeper of My Kin: Memoir of an Immigrant Daughter, tracing her own family history from slavery to the pursuit of the American Dream.
Ferrer joins Jorge and Paola to unpack the latest chapter in the decades-long relationship between the two countries and what the worst-case scenario could be for Cubans. They also discuss her new book, Keeper of My Kin: Memoir of an Immigrant Daughter, tracing her own family history from slavery to the pursuit of the American Dream.
Labels:
Cuba
Rob Groves: Burnham's Brexit Reset vs the Farage Clause
Labels:
Andy Burnham,
European Union,
Nigel Farage
July 24, 2026
Michael Lambert: Starmer's Dithering and Indecision Is Why He Had to Go
July 24, 2026 | Keir Starmer was meant to bring stability and clear direction to the UK. Instead, his time as Prime Minister has been defined by endless dithering, policy U-turns, and a reliance on vacuous focus-group slogans.
In this video, I break down why Starmer's premiership will likely be remembered as one of the most ineffective in recent memory. From his failure to address the economic consequences of Brexit to his reactionary approach to immigration and law and order, it’s clear that he never had an idea and didn’t have a clue.
What did you make of Starmer's time in office? Did he deliver on any of his promises, or was it just more of the same?
Even though I am no longer a smoker, I shall never forgive Starmer for introducing a law banning smoking for adults. This is not about health. Of course, smoking is not a healthy habit, but there are very many other unhealthy habits which people indulge in which are not banned. So why single out smoking? Drinking alcohol is also not healthy. Should we ban that too?
The main reason why I am particularly against banning smoking for adults is because such a law is utterly undemocratic and totally infantilizing. Only a left-winger, or an idiot who doesn’t understand the meaning of democracy, could ever come up with such a stupid, ludicrous, unworkable law. — © Mark Alexander
In this video, I break down why Starmer's premiership will likely be remembered as one of the most ineffective in recent memory. From his failure to address the economic consequences of Brexit to his reactionary approach to immigration and law and order, it’s clear that he never had an idea and didn’t have a clue.
What did you make of Starmer's time in office? Did he deliver on any of his promises, or was it just more of the same?
Even though I am no longer a smoker, I shall never forgive Starmer for introducing a law banning smoking for adults. This is not about health. Of course, smoking is not a healthy habit, but there are very many other unhealthy habits which people indulge in which are not banned. So why single out smoking? Drinking alcohol is also not healthy. Should we ban that too?
The main reason why I am particularly against banning smoking for adults is because such a law is utterly undemocratic and totally infantilizing. Only a left-winger, or an idiot who doesn’t understand the meaning of democracy, could ever come up with such a stupid, ludicrous, unworkable law. — © Mark Alexander
Labels:
Keir Starmer
Argentina: Inflation Crashes, Poverty Rises, Inside Javier Milei's Revolution | Documentary - JV
Even though I have no crystal ball, as an economics major, I will make a prediction (which I have made before)… This reckless experiment in anarcho-capitalism will end in tears. It will fail. This is not what I wish for the Argentinian people. They deserve better. But I cannot see how this radical experiment can possibly work. Time might prove me wrong, of course; but I doubt it. — © Mark Alexander
July 23, 2026
Google Hit With $1 Billion Fine for Abusing Its Power in Europe
THE NEW YORK TIMES: At a tense moment for trans-Atlantic trade, the European Union accused Google of anti-competitive business practices.
In a decision likely to intensify trans-Atlantic trade tensions, European Union regulators on Thursday hit Google with a $1 billion fine for illegally undercutting competition through its dominance as a search engine.
President Trump has previously threatened to retaliate against the European Union for what he views as the unfair targeting of American technology companies. The Google decision comes when he is weighing a new batch of tariffs on the European Union and other major trading partners.
In explaining Thursday’s fine of 890 million euros, regulators in Brussels said Google had used its position as the world’s largest search engine to unfairly boost its services in areas like shopping, travel, games and language translation. Google displayed its own services more prominently at the top of search results, while relegating competing services farther down the page, according to regulators.
The European Commission, which conducted the investigation, also concluded that the tech giant used unfair restrictions on its Google Play app store that prevent app developers from communicating with users, or conducting transactions that could reduce the fees Google can collect. » | Adam Satariano and Jeanna Smialek | Adam Satariano reported from London and Jeanna Smialek from Brussels. | Thursday, July 23, 2026
In a decision likely to intensify trans-Atlantic trade tensions, European Union regulators on Thursday hit Google with a $1 billion fine for illegally undercutting competition through its dominance as a search engine.
President Trump has previously threatened to retaliate against the European Union for what he views as the unfair targeting of American technology companies. The Google decision comes when he is weighing a new batch of tariffs on the European Union and other major trading partners.
In explaining Thursday’s fine of 890 million euros, regulators in Brussels said Google had used its position as the world’s largest search engine to unfairly boost its services in areas like shopping, travel, games and language translation. Google displayed its own services more prominently at the top of search results, while relegating competing services farther down the page, according to regulators.
The European Commission, which conducted the investigation, also concluded that the tech giant used unfair restrictions on its Google Play app store that prevent app developers from communicating with users, or conducting transactions that could reduce the fees Google can collect. » | Adam Satariano and Jeanna Smialek | Adam Satariano reported from London and Jeanna Smialek from Brussels. | Thursday, July 23, 2026
Labels:
European Union,
Google
Cuba After Castro: The Island in the Crosshairs | Feature Documentary
Premiered Jun 23, 2026 | From directors Abby Martin and Matt Belen, Cuba After Castro delivers the definitive portrait of Miguel Díaz-Canel, Cuba’s first leader born after the Revolution. Through this unprecedented in-depth interview we see a vision of revolutionary Cuba suppressed in the west: a nation of collective values and defiance in the face of constant threats from the United States.
The film chronicles Diaz-Canel’s formation as an unexpected successor to the Castros — an unassuming organizer molded by the revolutionary process. Confronting a perfect storm of intensified U.S. sanctions, a media war, a devastating pandemic, and historic domestic protests. Díaz-Canel reflects on navigating these existential crises for the nation he has come to lead.
The film chronicles Diaz-Canel’s formation as an unexpected successor to the Castros — an unassuming organizer molded by the revolutionary process. Confronting a perfect storm of intensified U.S. sanctions, a media war, a devastating pandemic, and historic domestic protests. Díaz-Canel reflects on navigating these existential crises for the nation he has come to lead.
Labels:
Abby Martin,
Cuba,
documentary,
Miguel Díaz-Canel
Sadistic And Depraved’ - Journalist Who’s Visited Cuba Describes U.S. Policy
July 23, 2026 | Donald Trump is not just threatening war against Cuba, but his sanctions against the island nation are having severe and deadly consequences. Its power grid is collapsing and Cuba’s most vulnerable are dying.
After a visit from CIA Director John Ratcliffe in May, it is making sweeping economic changes that journalist Abby Martin says could raise inequality.
In the midst of this crisis, Martin became the first U.S. journalist to interview Cuba’s president Miguel Díaz-Canel, as part of a provocative documentary entitled ‘Cuba After Castro.’
Martin’s documentary tells the untold story of the Cuban people. “Death is the policy. Mass murder is the policy that has been stated for decades to make the Cuban people suffer and overthrow their government.”
This in-depth conversation on the consequences of U.S. foreign policy goes beyond Cuba, as Mehdi and Martin also discuss her previous documentaries, centered around Israel’s crimes against Palestinians. Mehdi asks Martin about occupied Gaza, Israel, Marco Rubio and MORE. …
After a visit from CIA Director John Ratcliffe in May, it is making sweeping economic changes that journalist Abby Martin says could raise inequality.
In the midst of this crisis, Martin became the first U.S. journalist to interview Cuba’s president Miguel Díaz-Canel, as part of a provocative documentary entitled ‘Cuba After Castro.’
Martin’s documentary tells the untold story of the Cuban people. “Death is the policy. Mass murder is the policy that has been stated for decades to make the Cuban people suffer and overthrow their government.”
This in-depth conversation on the consequences of U.S. foreign policy goes beyond Cuba, as Mehdi and Martin also discuss her previous documentaries, centered around Israel’s crimes against Palestinians. Mehdi asks Martin about occupied Gaza, Israel, Marco Rubio and MORE. …
Labels:
Abby Martin,
Cuba,
Donald Trump,
Mehdi Hasan,
USA
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