Thucydides trap averted: China speed, dodgy data and the Houthis As nations realize expeditionary navies are obsolete and catch up to China’s growth, realignment will be astonishingly speedy
Steve Hsu argues the US will be increasingly powerless to affect geopolitics in the Western Pacific, pointing to the failure to reopen Red Sea shipping as a sign of the rapidly changing nature of war and global power.
Part of a longer discussion about Steve’s time in No.10 with Boris and Dominic Cummings, the UK’s covid response, and the West’s dangerous misconceptions about China. Links to the full episode below.
New Trump Financial Reporting Rule Aims To Capture Cash Transactions As Low As $200. The new Geographic Targeting Order requires money services businesses (MSBs) located in 30 ZIP codes across California and Texas to file Currency Transaction Reports with FinCEN at a $200 threshold for cash transactions.
Shailesh Jejurikar is set to become the next CEO of Procter & Gamble (P&G), succeeding Jon Moeller, effective January 1, 2026. He was named as the successor on July 29, 2025. Jejurikar, who is currently P&G’s Chief Operating Officer, is also a classmate of Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, from their time at Hyderabad Public School
Hoping for a break in this infernal heat wave we been having. Temps 95-105 with humidity ranging 60-90% it has been unbearable and AC unit just cannot keep up with it.
jimg
July 31, 2025 9:00 am
#47891
Elon Musk showcases ‘biggest product ever’ Tesla Optimus robot
The Tale of Another ChairmanEconomist Richard Timberlake recalls the legacy of W.M. Martin and Marriner Eccles, former Fed chairmen.
Marriner Stoddard Eccles (September 9, 1890 – December 18, 1977) served as the 7th chairman of the Federal Reserve from 1936 to 1948. He was succeeded by Thomas B. McCabe due to disagreements with President Truman regarding his opposition to the President’s low interest rate policy aimed at the cost of Treasury funding. Eccles believed Truman’s policy fueled inflation
From a congressional hearing in 1936: Congressman Patman: “How did you get the money to buy those two billion dollars worth of Government securities in 1933?” Governor Eccles:“Out of the right to issue credit money.” Patman: “And there is nothing behind it, is there, except our Government’s credit?” Eccles: “That is what our money system is. If there were no debts in our money system, there wouldn’t be any money.“ Congressman Fletcher:“Chairman Eccles, when do you think there is a possibility of returning to a free and open market, instead of this pegged and artificially controlled financial market we now have?“ Governor Eccles: “Never, not in your lifetime or mine.“
jimg
July 23, 2025 9:05 am
#47750
Think of all his influence and power and yet, he was really a grifter and common thug….
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM PROBE FINDS KLAUS SCHWAB ENGAGED IN A PATTERN OF WORKPLACE MISCONDUCT, SOURCES SAY — WSJ
INTERNAL PROBE CITES UNAUTHORIZED SPENDING BY SCHWAB AND HIS WIFE, SOURCES SAY — WSJ
INTERNAL PROBE ALSO ALLEGES INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR, SOURCES SAY — WSJ
This latest Trump statement that Biden appointed Powell is fascinating to me because I really want to know if this is just a reflex or calculated Trump reply or if he psychologically lives in a world where anything bad = Biden and democrats which really block his ability to remember that he appointed Powell. I think it is the former.
I know a lot of people here and the markets don’t think Trump will fire Powell, but he must be internally struggling over this because he wants to do it and is resisting because of how the markets will react. He listened to others in his first term and regretted it. Will he follow his gut and conviction with getting rid of Powell? Not sure but I am working on a backup plan just in case.
jimg
July 17, 2025 9:10 am
#47665
“Argentina’s economy grew 7.6% in the second quarter of 2025, official data shows. This is the country’s best performance in years, coming after a long crisis marked by high inflation and shrinking incomes. The main drivers of this growth are a strong rebound in commerce and construction, both of which have responded quickly to new government policies. President Javier Milei’s government took office in late 2023 and made big changes.”
When they speak of money printing today, they are not talking about printing physical currency. It is additions to bank reserves, which do not become “money” until those reserves are converted into loans. They do still print money of course. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, subordinate to the UST, prints what the Fed believes the nation requires, in currency, in a given year, to support commerce and individual transactions.
Similar to the compensation allotted to sports stars. NAV for top-of-the-line engineer catching up is a move in the right direction.
jimg
July 9, 2025 8:37 am
#47538
Originally a web design and marketing company, Smarter Web began accepting Bitcoin payments in 2023 and adopted a Bitcoin treasury strategy as part of a 10-year corporate roadmap.
“In this piece, Gioia explores the collapse of traditional systems of knowledge and authority, arguing that society is undergoing a cultural transformation on par with the Renaissance or Enlightenment”
I wonder who Trump is trying to scare with his 50% tariff on copper decree? Can’t be Chile since the trade balance is net positive for US. Canada? Japan? Would Trump really risk inflation in housing, autos, EV, Solar and Semis? TACO is wearing thin already. Too bad the lazy media doesn’t call him out on it.
jimg
July 8, 2025 11:11 am
#47519
Planeloads of Russians’ Touch Down in Iraq as Moscow Eyes Oil, Nuclear Deals
Russia eyes new oil deals in southern Iraq to expand its influence beyond Kurdistan and replicate Iran-style long-term energy pacts.
Iraq helps disguise Iranian oil as its own, aiding sanctions evasion via shared reservoirs and covert cross-border drilling.
Talks on nuclear cooperation with Russia and China raise Western concerns about dual-use tech and regional power shifts.
EU weighs skeleton US trade deal with 10 percent tariffBrussels seeks backing from member countries, with days to go before Donald Trump’s deadline to do a deal or face 50 percent tariffs.
Thucydides trap averted: China speed, dodgy data and the Houthis
As nations realize expeditionary navies are obsolete and catch up to China’s growth, realignment will be astonishingly speedy
https://asiatimes.com/2025/07/thucydides-trap-averted-china-speed-dodgy-data-and-the-houthis/
Steve Hsu argues the US will be increasingly powerless to affect geopolitics in the Western Pacific, pointing to the failure to reopen Red Sea shipping as a sign of the rapidly changing nature of war and global power.
Part of a longer discussion about Steve’s time in No.10 with Boris and Dominic Cummings, the UK’s covid response, and the West’s dangerous misconceptions about China.
Links to the full episode below.
https://alethios.substack.com/p/with-steve-hsu-in-no10-with-boris
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/steve-hsu-in-no-10-with-boris-and-cummings/id1825938189?i=1000719465743
New Trump Financial Reporting Rule Aims To Capture Cash Transactions As Low As $200. The new Geographic Targeting Order requires money services businesses (MSBs) located in 30 ZIP codes across California and Texas to file Currency Transaction Reports with FinCEN at a $200 threshold for cash transactions.
https://archive.is/rBYS4#selection-311.0-315.221
Shailesh Jejurikar is set to become the next CEO of Procter & Gamble (P&G), succeeding Jon Moeller, effective January 1, 2026. He was named as the successor on July 29, 2025. Jejurikar, who is currently P&G’s Chief Operating Officer, is also a classmate of Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, from their time at Hyderabad Public School
Hoping for a break in this infernal heat wave we been having. Temps 95-105 with humidity ranging 60-90% it has been unbearable and AC unit just cannot keep up with it.
Elon Musk showcases ‘biggest product ever’ Tesla Optimus robot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXR7clH2dmU
Alibaba Cloud Founder Expects Big AI Shakeup After OpenAI Hype
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0PaVrpFD14
Rod Martin (Martin Capital) on the U.S/EU trade deal:
https://x.com/RodDMartin/status/1949618857380851814
Matson Suspends Electric Vehicle Shipments Over Battery Fire Concerns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C12CI8rlLoY
The Tale of Another ChairmanEconomist Richard Timberlake recalls the legacy of W.M. Martin and Marriner Eccles, former Fed chairmen.
Marriner Stoddard Eccles (September 9, 1890 – December 18, 1977) served as the 7th chairman of the Federal Reserve from 1936 to 1948. He was succeeded by Thomas B. McCabe due to disagreements with President Truman regarding his opposition to the President’s low interest rate policy aimed at the cost of Treasury funding. Eccles believed Truman’s policy fueled inflation
https://www.minneapolisfed.org/article/1999/the-tale-of-another-chairman
From a congressional hearing in 1936:
Congressman Patman: “How did you get the money to buy those two billion dollars worth of Government securities in 1933?”
Governor Eccles: “Out of the right to issue credit money.”
Patman: “And there is nothing behind it, is there, except our Government’s credit?”
Eccles: “That is what our money system is. If there were no debts in our money system, there wouldn’t be any money.“
Congressman Fletcher: “Chairman Eccles, when do you think there is a possibility of returning to a free and open market, instead of this pegged and artificially controlled financial market we now have?“
Governor Eccles: “Never, not in your lifetime or mine.“
Think of all his influence and power and yet, he was really a grifter and common thug….
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM PROBE FINDS KLAUS SCHWAB ENGAGED IN A PATTERN OF WORKPLACE MISCONDUCT, SOURCES SAY — WSJ
INTERNAL PROBE CITES UNAUTHORIZED SPENDING BY SCHWAB AND HIS WIFE, SOURCES SAY — WSJ
INTERNAL PROBE ALSO ALLEGES INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR, SOURCES SAY — WSJ
I had ordr to buy BCTX 4000 at $0.79, after more than a week it ot filled.I need to go through all post here to find out why I put this order
This latest Trump statement that Biden appointed Powell is fascinating to me because I really want to know if this is just a reflex or calculated Trump reply or if he psychologically lives in a world where anything bad = Biden and democrats which really block his ability to remember that he appointed Powell. I think it is the former.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-powell-fed-chair-biden-blame-b2790464.html
I know a lot of people here and the markets don’t think Trump will fire Powell, but he must be internally struggling over this because he wants to do it and is resisting because of how the markets will react. He listened to others in his first term and regretted it. Will he follow his gut and conviction with getting rid of Powell? Not sure but I am working on a backup plan just in case.
“Argentina’s economy grew 7.6% in the second quarter of 2025, official data shows. This is the country’s best performance in years, coming after a long crisis marked by high inflation and shrinking incomes. The main drivers of this growth are a strong rebound in commerce and construction, both of which have responded quickly to new government policies. President Javier Milei’s government took office in late 2023 and made big changes.”
https://www.oecd.org/en/about/news/press-releases/2025/07/argentina-should-maintain-reform-momentum-to-boost-investment-and-productivity.html
https://www.riotimesonline.com/argentinas-economy-grows-7-6-in-q2-2025-as-shops-and-building-sites-lead-recovery/
https://argentinareports.com/argentinas-economy-sees-year-on-year-growth-following-mileis-controversial-austerity-measures/4000/
Much discussion today that Trump is ready to fire Powell. Wants a 300 basis point cut at the low end. Insane.
When they speak of money printing today, they are not talking about printing physical currency. It is additions to bank reserves, which do not become “money” until those reserves are converted into loans. They do still print money of course. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, subordinate to the UST, prints what the Fed believes the nation requires, in currency, in a given year, to support commerce and individual transactions.
200 million for one engineer
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/telcos-media-tech/meta-poached-apples-ai-engineer-pang-pay-package-over-us200-million-sources
Similar to the compensation allotted to sports stars. NAV for top-of-the-line engineer catching up is a move in the right direction.
Originally a web design and marketing company, Smarter Web began accepting Bitcoin payments in 2023 and adopted a Bitcoin treasury strategy as part of a 10-year corporate roadmap.
The company’s stock price experienced extreme volatility, surging nearly 20,000% before correcting.
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/crypto/article-14832533/British-bitcoin-company-goes-4M-1BILLION-just-two-months-stock-market.html
Our Knowledge System Has Collapsed. Can We Survive Without It?
https://www.thefp.com/p/the-knowledge-system-collapse
“In this piece, Gioia explores the collapse of traditional systems of knowledge and authority, arguing that society is undergoing a cultural transformation on par with the Renaissance or Enlightenment”
Goia is a polymath and writes on The Honest Broker: https://www.honest-broker.com/
Scary and terrifying…from the developers of AI
The AI 2027 scenario is the first major release from the AI Futures Project.
AI-2027.com
About the authors:
https://ai-2027.com/about
Summary:
https://ai-2027.com/summary
Research:
https://ai-2027.com/research
I wonder who Trump is trying to scare with his 50% tariff on copper decree? Can’t be Chile since the trade balance is net positive for US. Canada? Japan? Would Trump really risk inflation in housing, autos, EV, Solar and Semis? TACO is wearing thin already. Too bad the lazy media doesn’t call him out on it.
Planeloads of Russians’ Touch Down in Iraq as Moscow Eyes Oil, Nuclear Deals
https://oilprice.com/Geopolitics/Middle-East/Planeloads-of-Russians-Touch-Down-in-Iraq-as-Moscow-Eyes-Oil-Nuclear-Deals.html
EU weighs skeleton US trade deal with 10 percent tariffBrussels seeks backing from member countries, with days to go before Donald Trump’s deadline to do a deal or face 50 percent tariffs.
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-us-skeleton-trade-deal-10-percent-tariff/
The Agenda: Their Vision – Your Future (2025) | Full Documentary
“The Agenda is a feature-length independent documentary produced by Mark Sharman; former UK broadcasting executive at ITV and Sky (formerly BSkyB)”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFHHOBiUrkg
Medicaid-Related Provisions in the Congressionally Approved Budget Reconciliation Bill Updated: July 3, 2025
https://www.sellersdorsey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Congressional-Approved-Reconciliation-Bill_070325_FINAL.pdf