Daily Links for May 30, 2026 | Naked Capitalism

Dear readers,

<p>This edition briefly shifts focus from the ongoing situation surrounding the Iran conflict. Recent developments have slowed significantly since President Trump stated during a Situation Room meeting that he would reach a “final determination” regarding a peace agreement—a deal Iran has subsequently denied. The silence that followed that announcement could signal an escalation of tensions, though the specifics remain uncertain.</p>

<p>That said, it’s worth mentioning (do check the full tweet for context) that the recent strikes near Bandar Abbas might have been tactical probes intended to assess Iran's defensive capabilities and asset locations. Notably, Chas Freeman previously discussed the three islands noted below as potential areas for limited U.S. military operations in times of conflict, recalling that Iran acquired these territories during the Shah's reign, and the UAE has contested their ownership. While Freeman didn't indicate a larger strategic purpose beyond appeasing the UAE, we must question whether these islands serve as better operational bases against Iran than the UAE itself, or if their primary aim would be to undermine Oman’s standing by supporting the Persian Gulf Authority from that region of the Strait of Hormuz.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
    <p lang="en" dir="ltr">FIGHT FOR STRAIT OF HORMUZ IS COMING: LT. COL. AGUILAR EXPOSES THE CENTCOM WARNING</p>
    <p>Lt. Col. Anthony Aguilar has decoded a recent announcement from the U.S. Navy Central Command, revealing a much more alarming situation than initially thought. What appears to be a routine notice for mariners… <a href="https://t.co/cYlFB14oQV" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://t.co/cYlFB14oQV</a> <a href="https://t.co/NZdCHGr4As" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/NZdCHGr4As</a></p>
    <p>— Mark (@Mark4XX) <a href="https://x.com/Mark4XX/status/2060619706113867951?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 30, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>

<p>Another perspective worth considering (again, follow the link):</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
    <p lang="en" dir="ltr">It wouldn’t surprise me if the US decided to invade and occupy the Oman side of the Strait of Hormuz to control maritime traffic from the Musandam Peninsula. The UAE might obstruct any Omani efforts to reinforce their military and engage with U.S. forces to reclaim the isolated peninsula.</p>
    <p>It would… <a href="https://t.co/5IQ4JvjEQF" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://t.co/5IQ4JvjEQF</a> <a href="https://t.co/aTqiclhkKQ" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/aTqiclhkKQ</a></p>
    <p>— Kathleen Tyson (@Kathleen_Tyson_) <a href="https://x.com/Kathleen_Tyson_/status/2060648853573861577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 30, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>

<p>Although we've noted that attempts by the U.S. to seize control of islands in or near the Strait of Hormuz are improbable, they could at least limit the potential scope of Iranian retaliation. Iran has previously threatened to target Gulf State energy infrastructure and desalination plants in response to strikes on its energy facilities. This latest line of attack, however, seems unlikely to be categorized in that way.</p>

<p>Would Iran truly consider sinking or causing serious damage to U.S. Navy vessels, such as an aircraft carrier, given the potential loss of life and environmental risks? Conversely, does Iran possess the precise weaponry needed to damage an aircraft carrier’s runway without sinking it? Ideally, their best course of action would be to disrupt U.S. vessels by impairing navigation or propulsion systems, marking a notable setback for U.S. military operations.</p>

<p>To provide you with additional insights, I’ve amassed a curated list of links to explore further. Enjoy!</p>

<center>*   *   *</center>

<p>From Bill L:</p>
<blockquote>
    <p>Four people board a small plane. Disaster strikes and the plane is set to crash. There are only three parachutes onboard. Passenger Brad Pitt declares that his fans want him to survive, seizing a parachute and jumping out.</p>

    <p>Donald Trump proclaims himself the best and smartest president, insisting the country cannot afford to lose him, and also jumps out with a parachute. Pope Leo, recognizing his long life of dedication, advises the young boy to take the final parachute for himself, as Leo has lived a fulfilling life. The young boy responds, “But there are actually two parachutes, because Trump took my backpack, not a parachute.”</p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://norsemythology.substack.com/p/i-translated-volsa-attr-for-you" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I Translated Völsa Þáttr for You</a> Norse Mythology &amp; Germanic Lore. A study of what can be learned about ancient pagan practices from this story.</p>

<p><a href="https://daily.jstor.org/understanding-the-power-of-power-ballads/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Understanding the Power of Power Ballads</a> JSTOR. A deep dive into whether Tina Turner’s "Private Dancer" qualifies as a classic in this genre.</p>

<p><a href="https://edgyoptimist.substack.com/p/choose-ritual-its-the-way-home" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">“Choose ritual. It’s the way home.”</a> The Edgy Optimist (Micael T). An exploration of ritual and its compelling nature, especially for those unfamiliar with it.</p>

<p><a href="https://aeon.co/essays/its-time-to-rediscover-the-art-and-beauty-of-repair" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">It’s time to rediscover the art – and beauty – of repair</a> aeon (Dr. Kevin)</p>

<p><a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260529043658.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Astronomers Solve Saturn’s Longstanding Spin Mystery</a> Science Daily (Kevin W)</p>

<p><a href="https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/plant-based-diet-associated-reduced-inflammation" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Plant-Based Diet Linked to Reduced Inflammation</a> Physicians’ Committee (Micael T)</p>

<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/may/29/families-pro-suicide-forums-kenneth-law" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">‘It was too easy’: families question how Kenneth Law enabled so many suicides</a> Guardian (Kevin W)</p>

<p><a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/sleeping-too-much-might-be-bad-for-you-now-because-apparently-nothing-is-safe/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sleeping Too Much May Be Harmful</a> Vice. Revisiting a study suggesting that excessive sleep could lead to negative health outcomes.</p>

<p>Ebola</p>
<blockquote>
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
        <p lang="en" dir="ltr">The WHO reported that the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo has a fatality rate of 30% to 50% among confirmed cases, with 906 suspected infections and 223 suspected deaths recorded so far <a href="https://t.co/eeZrKBEcJ8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://t.co/eeZrKBEcJ8</a> <a href="https://t.co/7mP4SMgd63" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/7mP4SMgd63</a></p>
        <p>— Reuters (@Reuters) <a href="https://x.com/Reuters/status/2060413361234293026?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 29, 2026</a></p>
    </blockquote>
</blockquote>

<p>Climate/Environment</p>
<blockquote>
    <p><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/15/health/climate-crisis-parenting-bill-weir-wellness/index.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Should we reconsider having children due to fears about the climate crisis?</a> CNN</p>

    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
        <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Look at that cold anomaly near Greenland. Its stark contrast to the warming adjacent oceans showcases a significant issue within our climate system. A recent study by Stefan et al. discusses its potential causes… <a href="https://t.co/Zesu3W0MYT" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://t.co/Zesu3W0MYT</a> <a href="https://t.co/QxnLQVI68f" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/QxnLQVI68f</a></p>
        <p>— Jeff Berardelli (@WeatherProf) <a href="https://x.com/WeatherProf/status/2060092926089199724?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 28, 2026</a></p>
    </blockquote>

    <p><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/15/climate/cold-ocean-upwelling-sharks-climate/index.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How climate change could be driving ‘killer’ cold outbreaks in oceans</a> CNN</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.science.org/content/article/how-cheap-renewable-energy-finally-flattening-emissions" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How affordable renewable energy is impacting emissions</a> AAAS (Dr. Kevin)</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.wired.com/story/the-paradox-thats-supercharging-climate-change/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Paradox That’s Intensifying Climate Change</a> Wired. Unfortunately, with the nearing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, I doubt this trend will hold.</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/drinking-water-beneath-atlantic-ocean/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scientists Uncover Large Reservoir of Drivable Water Beneath the Atlantic Ocean</a> ZME Science (Dr. Kevin)</p>
    <p><a href="https://phys.org/news/2024-04-cocoa-beans-threatening-ivory-coast.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Extreme heat damages cocoa crops, jeopardizing agriculture in the Ivory Coast</a> PhysOrg</p>
    <p><a href="https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/nuclear-safety/2024-04/expert-fears-flooded-radioactive-dump-sites-could-leak-river-system-flow" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Concerns grow about flooded radioactive dump sites in Siberia posing risks to the Arctic Ocean</a> The Barents Observer</p>
    <p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/sec-climate-change-disclosure-rule-trump-d70ee730c8a124f6767ca327fe903846" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SEC moves to repeal rule requiring companies to report greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks</a> Associated Press (Kevin W)</p>
</blockquote>

<p>China?</p>
<blockquote>
    <p><a href="https://archive.is/uepuJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Huawei and researchers develop 2D parallel computing chip that surpasses Moore’s Law</a> South China Morning Post</p>
    <p><a href="https://asiatimes.com/2026/05/chinas-h200-hunger-drives-nvidia-chip-smugglers-to-japan-route/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">China’s demand for H200 drives smuggling of Nvidia chips via Japan</a> Asia Times (Kevin W)</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.chinatalk.media/p/adventures-in-vibecoding-policy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Adventures in Vibecoding Policy</a> China Talk</p>
    <p><a href="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-05-28/China-urges-Japan-to-learn-from-history-act-prudently-on-intelligence-overhaul-1NwlpnwIt5m/p.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">China advises Japan to heed historical lessons and proceed cautiously with its intelligence reforms</a> CGTN</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Southeast Asia</p>
<blockquote>
    <p><a href="https://asiatimes.com/2026/05/shangri-la-dialogue-opens-as-asia-seeks-alternatives-to-us-shield/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Shangri-La Dialogue convenes as Asia explores alternatives to U.S. protection</a> Asia Times (Kevin W)</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/global-fuel-crisis-adds-urgency-cambodian-push-tap-300-billion-energy-resources-2026-05-27/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Global fuel shortage intensifies Cambodia's urgency to tap into $300 billion energy reserves</a> Reuters</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.dagangnews.com/article/english-terkini/growing-fears-myanmar-farmers-face-fertiliser-fuel-dearth-69547" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Increasing concerns: Myanmar farmers struggle with shortages of fertilizer and fuel</a> Danang News</p>
    <p><a href="https://reddmonitor.substack.com/p/pig-feast-colonialism-in-our-time" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pig Feast: Colonialism Today</a> Chris Lang</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Africa</p>
<blockquote>
    <p><a href="https://mg.co.za/africa/2024-04-15-climate-crisis-pushes-malawi-food-farmers-into-starvation/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The climate crisis drives food farmers in Malawi toward starvation</a> Mail &amp; Guardian</p>
</blockquote>

<p>South of the Border</p>
<blockquote>
    <p><a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-cuba-invasion-navy-caribbean-b2985491.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">U.S. Military reportedly preparing for a potential invasion of Cuba amid increased naval and personnel deployment</a> Independent</p>
    <p><a href="https://venezuelanalysis.com/opinion/delcys-gatekeeper-sources-say-ex-trump-official-claver-carone-holds-keys-to-caracas/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Delcy’s ‘Gatekeeper’: Sources suggest former Trump official Claver-Carone is key to Caracas</a> VenezuelAnalysis (Robin K)</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyp7w035d5o" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bolivian president warns that the country is at a ‘breaking point’ following a month of protests</a> BBC</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/29/us-to-designate-two-brazilian-gangs-as-terrorist-organisations" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">U.S. moves to classify two Brazilian gangs as ‘terrorist’ organizations</a> Aljazeera</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/28/us-military-strike-alleged-drug-boat-pacific-death-toll-nears-200" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">U.S. strike on alleged drug boat results in two deaths as campaign's toll approaches 200</a> Guardian</p>
    <p><a href="https://news.antiwar.com/2026/05/28/guatemala-agrees-to-allow-us-airstrikes-on-its-territory-as-us-escalates-military-interventions-in-latin-america/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Guatemala consents to U.S. airstrikes on its land as military interventions in Latin America escalate</a> Antiwar.com (Kevin W)</p>
</blockquote>

<p>European Disunion</p>
<blockquote>
    <p><a href="https://archive.is/leEY3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">EU plans to expand import tariffs and quotas against China</a> Financial Times</p>
    <p><a href="https://archive.is/qETMD" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">EU seeks crisis powers to take control of chip supplies</a> Financial Times</p>
    <p><a href="https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Uniper-Sees-Gas-Shortage-in-Winter-If-Storage-Rates-Dont-Speed-Up.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Uniper warns of potential gas shortages come winter if storage doesn't ramp up</a> OilPrice</p>
    <p><a href="https://archive.is/tFmrb#selection-1185.0-1185.57" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Merz seeks to quell party unrest with promises to revive Germany’s economy</a> Bloomberg. <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-28/merz-aims-to-shut-down-party-unrest-with-vow-to-revive-germany" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Find the full article here.</a></p>
    <p><a href="https://tobiashubinette-wordpress-com.translate.goog/2026/05/27/las-och-raknefardigheterna-bland-landets-ungdomar-och-unga-vuxna-har-sjunkit-pa-senare-ar-samt-skiljer-sig-at-markant-mellan-de-som-har-svensk-respektive-utlandsk-bakgrund/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reading and math skills among Sweden's youth have declined significantly in recent years, particularly between those with Swedish and foreign backgrounds</a> Tobias Hubinette via machine translation (Micael T)</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Old Blighty</p>
<blockquote>
    <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/may/28/young-first-time-buyers-face-toughest-time-since-financial-crisis-says-uk-housebuilder" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Young first-time buyers encounter the toughest challenges since the financial crisis, says UK housebuilder</a> Guardian</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgzdq23xpgo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">‘It’s not a nice world to bring children into’: Birth rates fall to their lowest in 50 years</a> BBC</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Israel vs. The Resistance</p>
<blockquote>
    <p><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0r2d40r91qo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">No agreement reached following Trump’s meeting to finalize talks on Iran</a> BBC</p>
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
        <p lang="fa" dir="rtl">ادعای وزیر جنگ آمریکا درباره توافق با ایران</p>
        <p>هگست در نشست امنیتی سنگاپور مدعی شد که هرگونه توافقی با ایران، «توافقی خوب» خواهد بود</p>
        <p>هگست همچنین در اظهاراتی متناقض مدعی شد که واشنگتن به‌دنبال دستیابی به توافق با تهران است</p>
        <p>— خبرگزاری تسنیم – خبر فوری (@Tasnimbrk) <a href="https://x.com/Tasnimbrk/status/2060579983123243497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 30, 2026</a></p>
    </blockquote>

    <p>Translated from Persian<br/>US Secretary of War’s Statement on Agreement with Iran</p>
    <p>Hagel claimed at the Singapore Security Summit that any agreement with Iran would be a “good agreement.”</p>
    <p>He also made contradictory statements asserting that Washington is actively seeking an agreement with Tehran.</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-46mI6yvABc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Iran dismisses claims of a U.S. peace deal; announces downing of drone; Trump calls for an emergency meeting</a> Janta Ka Reporter. Important video clips, including several notable moments.</p>
    <p><a href="https://caityjohnstone.medium.com/warmongers-keep-generating-ai-atrocity-propaganda-about-iran-782fc1ae0d69" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Warmongers continue producing propaganda regarding Iran</a> Caitlin Johnstone (Kevin W)</p>
    <p><a href="https://daniellarison.substack.com/p/experts-opposed-the-iraq-war" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Experts who Opposed the Iraq War</a> Daniel Larison</p>
</blockquote>

<center>*   *   *</center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
    <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Doctors in Gaza report a collapse of the medical infrastructure.</p>
    <p>Israel has been preventing essential supplies such as gauze and colostomy bags from entering, as well as fuel needed for hospitals to operate.</p>
    <p>Patients are slowly succumbing to infections… <a href="https://t.co/4nNqQRo5AJ" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/4nNqQRo5AJ</a></p>
    <p>— Jadaliyya (@jadaliyya) <a href="https://x.com/jadaliyya/status/2060372220849918336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 29, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
    <p lang="en" dir="ltr">🇵🇸🇮🇱 Israeli forces have closed the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron indefinitely.</p>
    <p>– Worshippers, guards, and custodians have all been ordered to leave.<br/>– Every surrounding checkpoint and gate is now sealed.<br/>– The Ibrahimi Mosque is located above the Cave of Machpelah,… <a href="https://t.co/xPBIG3uAZl" target="_blank">https://t.co/xPBIG3uAZl</a> <a href="https://t.co/QMrps0Yg9f" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/QMrps0Yg9f</a></p>
    <p>— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) <a href="https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/2060310683154272344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 29, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>

<center>*   *   *</center>

<p><a href="https://responsiblestatecraft.org/israel-us-military/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Congress moves toward integrating U.S. and Israeli militaries</a> Responsible Statecraft (guurst)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israeli-spy-jonathan-pollard-suggests-egypt-and-turkey-next-targets-israel" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jonathan Pollard suggests Egypt and Turkey may be next targets for conflict</a> Middle East Eye (Kevin W)</p>

<p>New Not-So-Cold War</p>
<blockquote>
    <p><a href="https://johnhelmer.net/putin-has-countermanded-lavrov-and-the-general-staff-zelensky-is-trumps-hit/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PUTIN COUNTERMANDS LAVROV AND THE GENERAL STAFF – ZELENSKY IS TRUMP’S TARGET</a> John Helmer</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EpDoB-xgOE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Russian ADVANCE in Kostiantynivka!</a> History Legends</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/05/28/germany-and-netherlands-to-set-up-nato-command-centre-in-baltics-berlin-says" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Germany and the Netherlands to establish a NATO command center in the Baltics, says Berlin</a> Euronews</p>
    <p><a href="https://english.elpais.com/international/2026-05-28/poland-and-romania-join-the-race-to-produce-drones.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Poland and Romania join the competition to manufacture military drones</a> El Pais</p>
    <p><a href="https://ggtvstreams.substack.com/p/dead-men-and-prisoners-listed-in" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dead Individuals and Prisoners lured into a Ukrainian Mobilization Scandal</a> Global Geopolitics</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Imperial Collapse Watch</p>
<blockquote>
    <p><a href="https://solari.com/civilization-at-the-crossroads-with-alastair-crooke/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Civilization at the Crossroads with Alastair Crooke</a> Solari Report (MDP)</p>
    <p><a href="https://unherd.com/2026/05/how-the-american-way-of-war-failed-in-iran/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The failure of the ‘American Way of War’ in Iran</a> Unherd</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/live-blog/2026-05-30/shangri-la-dialogue-defense-summit-day-one" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hegseth avoids direct mention of the Iran War and Taiwan in his Summit Address</a> Bloomberg</p>
    <p><a href="https://digressionsimpressions.substack.com/p/on-popper-as-the-useful-idiot-of" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Discussion on Popper as a problematic figure in anti-history</a> NESCIO13 (Micael T)</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Trump 2.0</p>
<blockquote>
    <p><a href="https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5900996-federal-judge-pauses-fund/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Judge temporarily blocks Justice Department’s $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund</a> The Hill</p>
    <p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kennedy-center-renovations-closure-1857159baf8db4692324acb7ef62f249" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Judge rules Kennedy Center board unlawfully included Trump's name on the building, halting closure</a> Associated Press (Kevin W)</p>
    <p><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2026/05/28/politics/winklevoss-trump-donor-penalty" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">U.S. regulator attempts to drop penalties against Trump donors’ cryptocurrency firm</a> CNN (Kevin W)</p>
    <p><a href="https://cedarrapidsgazette-ia.newsmemory.com/?publink=0057ce840_13520d5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Oz and Iowa Democrats disagree on Medicaid issues</a> Green Gazette (Robin K)</p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://www.gelliottmorris.com/p/2026-05-29-dnc-autopsy-few-more-thoughts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Examining why much election analysis lacks substance</a> G. Elliott Morris</p>

<p>Economy</p>
<blockquote>
    <p><a href="https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/05/strait-hormuz-food-security-crisis-fertilizer/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">An impending food crisis is in the works</a> World Economic Forum</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielcohen/2026/05/28/bitter-harvest-how-the-iran-crisis-is-altering-fertilizer-markets/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How the Iran crisis is reshaping fertilizer markets</a> Forbes</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.thestreet.com/personal-finance/u-s-farmers-face-credit-crisis-amid-iran-war-fallout" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">U.S. farmers encounter a credit crisis due to the fallout from the Iran conflict</a> The Street</p>
</blockquote>

<center>*   *   *</center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
    <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Everyone should pay attention to what Senior Vice President of Exxon Neil Chapman says about the coming surge in oil prices</p>
    <p>The next energy shock is fast approaching <a href="https://t.co/wCbbKrd6ph" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/wCbbKrd6ph</a></p>
    <p>— Robert A. Pape (@ProfessorPape) <a href="https://x.com/ProfessorPape/status/2060198229841522884?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 29, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
    <p lang="en" dir="ltr">We may be heading towards energy shortages reminiscent of the 1970s.</p>
    <p>Few realize that the gas lines from that era were not solely caused by OPEC oil embargoes, but rather by the government-imposed price controls that followed. The artificially...</p>
    <p>— Ross Hendricks (@Ross__Hendricks) <a href="https://x.com/Ross__Hendricks/status/2060128934067405054?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 28, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://www.financialsense.com/blog/21672/oil-markets-brink-why-todays-calm-may-be-hiding-historic-supply-shock" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Oil Markets on the Brink: The Calm Before a Potential Supply Shock</a> Financial Sense</p>
<p><a href="https://larrycjohnson.substack.com/p/trumps-oil-confabulations" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trump’s Distorted Views on Oil Markets</a> Larry Johnson. Highlights from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyVUgJ_5H5k" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Art Berman's lecture</a> we referenced yesterday.</p>
<p><a href="https://afm.aero/global-air-passenger-traffic-contracts-for-first-time-since-covid-as-middle-east-conflict-drives-466percent-regional-decline" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Global air traffic declines for the first time since COVID, with a 46.6% regional drop driven by conflict in the Middle East</a> AFM</p>
<p><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2026/05/25/travel/analysis-tourism-fewer-international-visitors-2025-vis" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dramatic decline in U.S. tourism signals worrying trends for the future</a> CNN</p>
<p><a href="https://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/why-jet-fuel-crisis-could-permanently-change-flying-for-travellers-everywhere-1.500556082" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The jet fuel crisis may permanently alter air travel for passengers worldwide</a> Gulf News</p>
<p><a href="https://archive.is/j4U18#selection-2233.4-2233.46" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Saga alerts potential risk of fuel shortages for cruises</a> Telegraph</p>

<center>*   *   *</center>

<p><a href="https://wolfstreet.com/2026/05/28/pce-inflation-surges-further-away-from-feds-target-now-nearly-double-the-feds-target-and-over-5-years-above-target/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PCE Inflation Surges Well Beyond Federal Targets, Nearly Doubling Original Goals</a> Wolf Richter</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Mr. Market Needs Therapy</p>
<blockquote>
    <p><a href="https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/central-bank-fiscal-pressures-mount/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Central banks face mounting pressures as fiscal constraints tighten</a> GIS</p>
    <p><a href="https://archive.is/l16NK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trump risks sparking a financial crisis with the war in Iran, warns the ECB</a> Financial Times</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Antitrust</p>
<blockquote>
    <p><a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2849509" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Right Solution for Breaking Up Healthcare Conglomerates?</a> JAMA (Robin K)</p>
</blockquote>

<p>AI</p>
<blockquote>
    <p>A crucial update, click through:</p>
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
        <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Google's AI division just initiated one of the most significant internal revolts in tech history—targeted at a contract signed with the Pentagon.</p>
        <p>DeepMind employees voted… <a href="https://t.co/WF4h4nAbkl" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/WF4h4nAbkl</a></p>
        <p>— 0️⃣BlackBetty ⚓️ (@BabyD1111229) <a href="https://x.com/BabyD1111229/status/2059270931122438643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 26, 2026</a></p>
    </blockquote>

    <p><a href="https://nesbitt.io/2026/05/28/protestware-for-coding-agents.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Protestware for software agents</a> Andrew Nesbitt. Our tech analyst Dave states: “This is the loudest objection I’ve seen from a developer unhappy with Generative AI.”</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.derekthompson.org/p/the-great-ai-cost-panic-of-2026" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The AI Boom Enters a Phase of Economic Doubt</a> Derek Thompson</p>
    <p><a href="https://garymarcus.substack.com/p/what-happens-next-after-the-decline" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">What lies ahead following the decline of tokenmaxxing?</a> Gary Marcus</p>
    <p><a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/05/29/ai-entry-level-jobs-college-graduates/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How AI Disrupted Entry-Level Employment Opportunities</a> Washington Monthly</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The Bezzle</p>
<blockquote>
    <p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mayrarodriguezvalladares/2026/05/28/shadow-bankings-147-trillion-takeover-of-us-bank-lending/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Rise of Shadow Banking in U.S. Lending</a> Forbes</p>
    <p><a href="https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/tsa-pushes-airports-opt-privatized-security-screening" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TSA encouraging airports to switch to privatized security screening</a> Aviation Week</p>
    <p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/blue-origin-rocket-explosion-bezos-ecdb38828fac02e3a33cc4fd4e61543e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blue Origin rocket explodes during test on launchpad</a> Associated Press</p>
    <p><a href="https://www-aftonbladet-se.translate.goog/nyheter/a/d4Lp6X/taxi-korde-rakt-in-i-sophus-chockad?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tesla taxi crashes into garbage dump at 'terrible speed'</a> Aftonbladet via machine translation (Micael T)</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.statnews.com/2026/05/29/united-healthcare-sued-massachusetts-ag-alleges-100-million-upcode-fraud-medicaid/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Massachusetts files lawsuit against UnitedHealth, alleging $100 million fraud in state Medicaid plans for seniors</a> STAT</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Guillotine Watch</p>
<blockquote>
    <p><a href="https://oligarchwatch.substack.com/p/spacex-to-pentagon-pay-up" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SpaceX demands payment from Pentagon</a> Oligarch Watch</p>
    <p><a href="https://archive.is/C11Dj#selection-1477.0-1477.64" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Peter Thiel relocates family to Javier Milei’s libertarian Argentina</a> Financial Times. Will he manage with the local cuisine? Friends who've visited frequently noted they struggle to find quality pasta made from the right grain.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Class Warfare</p>
<blockquote>
    <p><a href="https://archive.is/4r2S9#selection-2165.0-2165.69" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">U.S. citizens struggle with $1.25 trillion in credit card debt</a> Wall Street Journal</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/us-men-financial-mental-health-b2985346.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Financial challenges triggering a masculinity crisis among American men</a> Independent</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-postal-service-suspends-non-essential-spending-amid-cash-crunch-2026-05-28/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">U.S. Postal Service halts non-essential expenses due to cash flow issues</a> Reuters</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.africanistperspective.com/p/a-caution-against-faddist-approaches" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A caution against trendy approaches in industrial policy—traditional strategies still apply</a> Ken Opalo</p>
    <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/report/939442/wikipedia-editors-protest-wikimedia-layoffs-strike" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Prolific Wikipedia editors threaten strike in response to layoffs</a> The Verge (Micael T)</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Antidote du jour (<a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/raccoon-walking-on-lawn-grass-6GMq7AGxNbE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">via</a>):</p>
<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" src="https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-30-at-3.30.17 PM.png" alt="" width="600" height="540" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-311092"  /></p> 

<p>As a bonus:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
    <p lang="en" dir="ltr">The universal feeling of terror when you accidentally skip a step <a href="https://t.co/16sVkpeO2h" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/16sVkpeO2h</a></p>
    <p>— Nature Unedited (@NatureUnedited) <a href="https://x.com/NatureUnedited/status/2060385448132854019?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 29, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>

<p>And a second bonus:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
    <p lang="pt" dir="ltr">Fu Bau recognized his Korean caregiver during a visit to China… 🥹😭😭 not AI<br/>(credits: knowhow8090) <a href="https://t.co/7rsak6VB51" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://t.co/7rsak6VB51</a> <a href="https://t.co/D9pFK1skee" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/D9pFK1skee</a></p>
    <p>— Cris (@CrisLee99) <a href="https://x.com/CrisLee99/status/2060484452346646575?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 29, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>

<p>And a third:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
    <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Offered a cold drink on a sweltering 110° day – he opted for a full-body soak instead <a href="https://t.co/CFR9sc24wj" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/CFR9sc24wj</a></p>
    <p>— Antidepressant Content (@depressionlesss) <a href="https://x.com/depressionlesss/status/2060417560936628525?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 29, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>

<p>For more insights, click here to view yesterday’s links and antidote du jour: <a href="https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2026/05/links-5-29-2026.html">here</a>.</p>
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