trade
How will free-trade fare under the Trump administration? Trade thoughts and opinion about negotiations, embargo, what works and what doesn't..
Key Factors Behind the U.S.–Iran Tensions: The Role of Oil and Geopolitics
The relationship between the United States and Iran has been tense for decades, shaped by political rivalry, economic sanctions, and regional power struggles. In recent years, these tensions have intensified, raising fears of military conflict and global instability. While oil is often seen as the main reason behind the rivalry, the reality is more complex. The conflict involves a combination of geopolitical competition, energy security, and strategic interests in the Middle East.
By shaoor afridiabout 15 hours ago in The Swamp
THE FREE PRESS. Content Warning.
The $35 Sentence: How Predatory Hospice Schemes Silence Seniors By Vicki Lawana Trusselli For years, I worked in the film and music industries in LA and Austin—I know a script when I see one. But the script being handed to seniors in Riverside and other cities today is not just fiction; it is federal fraud.
By Vicki Lawana Trusselli 2 days ago in The Swamp
The next generation of dairy-free cheese may be made from rice.
Cheese is often the final "hard thing" to give up. Both vegans and others who wish to stay away from dairy because it bothers them miss it. The issue of allergies comes next. A lot of non-dairy cheeses contain gluten-based ingredients, and many rely on nuts. The "safe" options might quickly disappear if you have a gluten, dairy, or nut allergy.
By Francis Dami5 days ago in The Swamp
Doing the Wash
Congress. An entity of our government that is supposed to be working for us, is just a money laundering criminal endeavor. If you aren't paying attention to what our government does, then you are part of the problem.Money laundering is a crime, and we are funding it.
By Alexandra Grant6 days ago in The Swamp
U.S. strategic competition with China.
This war Stop being a medley story the moment the first oil tanker changed course in the Persian Gulf. What I mean is, Strait of Hormuz is the most important energy bottleneck on earth. Everybody knows it is the most important energy bottleneck on earth. And if it was the threat from Iran last time, this time Iran has partially done it. It is so narrow, IRGC has a lot of control over it. Just like in the Strait of Malacca, army/navy has control over it. Similarly, here the Iranians have control over it. And recently, China, Russia, and Iran have already conducted war games. So it is this narrow, 33 kilometers wide, you are hearing about it everywhere, everybody is talking about it. It is the width of a large city. So in this narrow passage, which holds 20% of the world's oil, one fifth of the world's oil and gas goes through, it is around 17 million barrels per day. There is no realistic alternative route except the Strait of Hormuz. If we close this passage, its consequences will not stop at any one border. Europe will pay, Japan will pay, India, South Korea, China, everybody pays the price. So a theory is floating around, which backs my argument that China is the target. It is that in Washington circles, there is a discussion going on, let's be honest, if this happens, what do we have to do? The hawkish people there say that this disruption should be allowed because it does not impact them as much as it impacts those countries, which I have just mentioned. So let's take this opportunity that the slowdown of China's energy supply can be slowed down. Trap Beijing in such an expensive moment as long as this congestion remains in the Strait of Hormuz, it remains closed, partially or completely. Iran keeps Beijing hit very badly from an energy security point of view. So the containment policy of China that is already going on is an added bonus. So imagine, on one hand, you are doing everything with technology and trade, imposing tariffs, treating them in the South China Sea, imagine all this. And from the other side, almost 90% of the oil and gas supplies go to China. If it is blocked for a few days, how badly it will hit China. So imagine, while the world is suffering, they are only having strategic designs in their minds.
By Ibrahim Shah 6 days ago in The Swamp
What resources does Venezuela have — apart from the world’s most oil?
Largest known oil reserves Venezuela has the world’s largest proven oil reserves, estimated at 303 billion barrels as of 2023, more than five times the amount the United States has, which is 55.25 billion barrels.
By Ibrahim Shah 16 days ago in The Swamp
