Thursday, March 19, 2026

Trump's Foreign Policy

An interesting take on Trump's foreign policy: 
The end of Trumpism
https://spectator.com/article/the-iran-war-is-likely-to-mark-the-end-of-trumpism/?edition=us 

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The Secret to Happiness

A Nordic nation is the world’s happiest country for the ninth year in a row
https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/18/travel/worlds-happiest-countries-2026-wellness
 
What makes the Nordic nations so happy?
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/what-makes-the-nordic-nations-so-happy/
Access to space is the obvious answer. It’s no coincidence that these are some of the least densely populated countries on the continent. Iceland has an average of four people living per square kilometer, while trees in Finland outnumber residents by 4,500 to one.
At a political level, a generous social welfare system – nicknamed the “Nordic Model” – promises free healthcare, education and up to a year’s paid parental leave in Denmark. Yes, the taxes are high, but when the money is well spent, and levels of economic inequality are far lower than the global average, who can complain? 

Related:
The Finnish Secret to Happiness? Knowing When You Have Enough.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/01/world/europe/finland-happiness-optimism.html
The Nordic nation has been ranked the happiest country on earth for six consecutive years. But when you talk to individual Finns, the reality is a bit more complicated. 

Are We Trading Our Happiness for Modern Comforts?
https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2020/10/why-life-has-gotten-more-comfortable-less-happy/616807/
As society gets richer, people chase the wrong things. 

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Bank Capital Requirements

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Fed Takes a Cautious Approach

The Best That Markets Should Hope for From the Fed: Nothing
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/19/business/federal-reserve-iran-inflation-recession.html
A rate cut in the next few months could signal major problems in the economy. 

Fed Holds Rates Steady as Iran War Clouds Outlook
https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-banking/fed-holds-steady-and-maintains-rate-cut-projection-2c378384
A new oil shock is threatening to prolong the Fed’s yearslong fight to bring down inflation ahead of a leadership transition.

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Shanghai

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Weather Is Getting Wilder

The Weather Is Getting Wilder, and Some See a Dire Signal in the Data
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/19/climate/the-weather-is-getting-wilder-and-some-see-a-dire-signal-in-the-data.html
Several of the Earth’s systems are changing faster than predicted as global temperatures rise, scientists say.  

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Energy Shock Will Hit Asia and Europe Hard

The Iran War’s Economic Threat to Europe and Asia
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/19/business/iran-war-fiscal-spending-debt.html
Inflation and its consequences for growth are a growing concern for countries where memories of the 2022 energy crisis are fresh.   

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