9/21/26: Houthis Bomb Saudi Capital, Yanis Varoufakis On Moscow Strikes And Petro Dollar Collapse
Summary
This episode covers the escalating Middle East crisis, where Trump reversed plans for US airstrikes on Houthis after they struck Riyadh’s airport, and discusses the resulting global bond sell-off. Guest Janis Verofakis analyzes Ukraine’s massive drone attacks on Moscow’s oil infrastructure and argues that Europe lacks a viable peace strategy for the war. The hosts also address the US nearly starting a war with China due to a faulty AI report and the economic fallout of diesel prices topping $6.50.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: ChatGPT Work and Indeed
Intro: 2024 election coverage and subscription appeal
Ukraine drone attack on Moscow and global bond sell-off
Iranian pressure on Saudi oil infrastructure
Trump's indecision on striking Yemen and Houthis
Strategic dilemma: Oil prices vs. admitting defeat
Impact of Houthi attacks on Gulf stability
Lack of US strategy and munitions constraints
The US-Saudi security deal and its breakdown
Trump interview: Potential meeting with Iran
Iranian high alert and global energy/diesel crisis
US energy capacity shifts and secret weapons reveal
Critique of US foreign policy and '3rd worldism'
Covering up military deaths and loss of dominance
Pentagon press silence and Hegseth's rhetoric
Sponsor: OnDec business loans
Guest intro: Janis Varoufakis on Ukraine strikes
Symmetry of attacks and lack of NATO peace plan
War impact on US inflation and Midwest voters
Ukraine's war economy and labor shortages
European irresponsibility and EU budget strain
Macron's G7 call and hybrid attack claims
Political motives of European leaders (Macron, Scholz)
Zelensky's stance and need for EU-Russia talks
Proposal for NATO-Russia comprehensive agreement
Donbas deal model based on Northern Ireland
Ending wars to reduce inflation and stabilize markets
Sponsors: ChatGPT Work and Dancing with the Stars
Bond market chaos and Treasury Secretary Bessent
US debt sustainability and Fed policy critique
Cost-push inflation from Iran and Ukraine wars
The decline of the petro-dollar system
Dollar strength via stablecoins and Chinese parallel systems
US leverage over China and potential outcomes
Guest outro and recommendations
Sponsors: Pepperidge Farm and GeneraVix
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