Brian Klein
@brianklein.bsky.social
https://brianpklein.substack.com - Quick takes on geopolitics, international affairs, economics, trade, environment and climate. Founder, RidgePoint Global | Geopolitical and Economic Strategist | Former US diplomat
A sober look at the US economy and signs of recession. www.businessinsider.com/recession-si...
The 7 ugly trends that show America is closer to a recession than you think
From homebuilding to trucking, major parts of the US economy are in deep trouble. The weakness could drag the whole country into a recession.
www.businessinsider.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:45 PM
A sober look at the US economy and signs of recession. www.businessinsider.com/recession-si...
My latest op-ed in the SCMP on whether AI will kill the middle class. Guest link below. www.scmp.com/opinion/worl...
Opinion | Will AI kill the middle class?
When the creators of a new technology warn that it could destroy the primary engine of global growth of the past half a century, it’s worth paying attention.
www.scmp.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:19 AM
My latest op-ed in the SCMP on whether AI will kill the middle class. Guest link below. www.scmp.com/opinion/worl...
Here we go again. . . the federal government downplaying the risks of a virus that could cause another pandemic. www.propublica.org/article/bird...
What the U.S. Government Is Dismissing That Could Seed a Bird Flu Pandemic
Egg producers suspect bird flu is traveling through the air. After a disastrous Midwestern outbreak early this year, we tested that theory and found that where the wind blew, the virus followed. Vacci...
www.propublica.org
November 19, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Here we go again. . . the federal government downplaying the risks of a virus that could cause another pandemic. www.propublica.org/article/bird...
Senate and House pass Epstein file release bill and on to the White House. There's no way Trump would sign it if he thought it would ruin him politically. So either Bondi has made sure there's nothing incriminating, or the worst has been classified and won't even be released. Maybe both.
Both the House and Senate have moved to send to President Trump's desk a measure that would compel the Justice Department to release its documents regarding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
House and Senate both approve releasing the Epstein files by a near unanimous margin
https://www.npr.org/2025/11/18/nx-s1-5611438/epstein-files-bill-house-vote
n.pr
November 19, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Senate and House pass Epstein file release bill and on to the White House. There's no way Trump would sign it if he thought it would ruin him politically. So either Bondi has made sure there's nothing incriminating, or the worst has been classified and won't even be released. Maybe both.
Can't help but think that the files released will be heavily redacted and many will be classified and not released (House bill specifically says release of "unclassified" documents). This is likely to be a huge distraction as Democrats show up, but not much on Trump.
JUST IN: The Senate unanimously agreed to pass the House-backed bill forcing the Justice Department to release its Epstein case files, as soon as it’s received from the chamber. https://cnn.it/4r7VtMA
November 19, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Can't help but think that the files released will be heavily redacted and many will be classified and not released (House bill specifically says release of "unclassified" documents). This is likely to be a huge distraction as Democrats show up, but not much on Trump.
If food prices are so low, why reduce tariffs??? finance.yahoo.com/news/live/tr...
Trump tariffs live updates: Trump readies tariff cuts on beef, coffee, bananas to help slash US grocery bills
Yahoo Finance is chronicling the latest news and updates on President Trump's plans to impose tariffs on goods from other countries.
finance.yahoo.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:47 PM
If food prices are so low, why reduce tariffs??? finance.yahoo.com/news/live/tr...
Tougher times are coming to the U.S economy and consumer buying is the bellwether.
Most Americans plan to spend $500 or less on gifts this year, and many are cutting back or turning to credit cards. Join U.S. News’s Adriana Ocañas at 2 PM EST on Reddit for an AMA about her Holiday Shopping Survey!
Find us on Reddit https://bit.ly/3LBVAQu
Survey here: https://bit.ly/4nXtUD7
Find us on Reddit https://bit.ly/3LBVAQu
Survey here: https://bit.ly/4nXtUD7
November 14, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Tougher times are coming to the U.S economy and consumer buying is the bellwether.
Reposted by Brian Klein
💡 Spotlight | This week, Carbon Brief’s expert team walk through what is happening with the biggest issues being negotiated at COP30.
Read here ⬇️
Read here ⬇️
DeBriefed 14 November 2025: COP30 DeBriefed: Finance and 1.5C loom large at talks; China’s emissions dip; Negotiations explained - Carbon Brief
This week, Carbon Brief’s expert team walk through what is happening with the biggest issues being negotiated at COP30.
www.carbonbrief.org
November 14, 2025 at 3:55 PM
💡 Spotlight | This week, Carbon Brief’s expert team walk through what is happening with the biggest issues being negotiated at COP30.
Read here ⬇️
Read here ⬇️
Reposted by Brian Klein
Class of 2026, beware: Companies say next year’s graduate hiring market is likely to be worse than this year’s. on.wsj.com/47Xv8Z9
Companies Predict 2026 Will Be the Worst College Grad Job Market in Five Years
Hires from the Class of 2026 will stay largely flat, employers project, as layoffs rise and AI is able to do more entry-level tasks.
on.wsj.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Class of 2026, beware: Companies say next year’s graduate hiring market is likely to be worse than this year’s. on.wsj.com/47Xv8Z9
COP30 climate conference convenes in Brazil. Might take a national security approach instead to get the moment flowing. The latest Closer Look. . .
brianpklein.substack.com/p/the-enviro...
brianpklein.substack.com/p/the-enviro...
The Environment - What's It Good For?
COP30 convenes in Brazil
brianpklein.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:56 PM
COP30 climate conference convenes in Brazil. Might take a national security approach instead to get the moment flowing. The latest Closer Look. . .
brianpklein.substack.com/p/the-enviro...
brianpklein.substack.com/p/the-enviro...
This isn’t promising . . . freight shipments drop substantially in October. Year over year doesn't look good either as tariffs take their bite. finance.yahoo.com/news/october...
November 13, 2025 at 6:53 PM
This isn’t promising . . . freight shipments drop substantially in October. Year over year doesn't look good either as tariffs take their bite. finance.yahoo.com/news/october...
Lower Single’s Day holiday sales in China suggests weakening economy. Growth slowed to 18% from 27% in 2024, despite lasting a week longer. apnews.com/article/chin...
China's Singles' Day online shopping bonanza's sales slow as shoppers opt for more affordable deals
Sales during China’s online shopping festival, Singles’ Day, slowed this year as bargain hunters opted for more affordable deals.
apnews.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Lower Single’s Day holiday sales in China suggests weakening economy. Growth slowed to 18% from 27% in 2024, despite lasting a week longer. apnews.com/article/chin...
The good thing about our spiritual instinct is that we don't lose it even if we ignore it. Mind the gap -- my latest Substack post here 👇
spiritualinstinct.substack.com/p/mind-the-g...
spiritualinstinct.substack.com/p/mind-the-g...
November 11, 2025 at 10:38 PM
The good thing about our spiritual instinct is that we don't lose it even if we ignore it. Mind the gap -- my latest Substack post here 👇
spiritualinstinct.substack.com/p/mind-the-g...
spiritualinstinct.substack.com/p/mind-the-g...
UN Climate Change conference underway in Brazil and these stats aren't promising. Maybe there's still time to turn this around, but it's increasingly about "resilience" and adapting to the change that's coming.
November 10, 2025 at 11:44 PM
UN Climate Change conference underway in Brazil and these stats aren't promising. Maybe there's still time to turn this around, but it's increasingly about "resilience" and adapting to the change that's coming.
From can't get one because they're selling so fast to can't get one because they may be discontinued, in the blink of an eye. Ford F-150 all electric may be discontinued as U.S. automakers stick to aging engine designs.
Production was already paused as Ford prioritizes gas and hybrid versions of the truck. The Lightning has been on the market for three years.
Ford execs reportedly discuss ending the F-150 Lightning | TechCrunch
Production was already paused as Ford prioritizes gas and hybrid versions of the truck. The Lightning has been on the market for three years.
techcrunch.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:29 PM
From can't get one because they're selling so fast to can't get one because they may be discontinued, in the blink of an eye. Ford F-150 all electric may be discontinued as U.S. automakers stick to aging engine designs.
AP calls NJ Gov. race for Dem. Mikie Sherrill apnews.com/live/2025-el...
Election Night live updates: Democrat Mikie Sherrill is elected New Jersey governor
Americans vote during Election Night 2025 as polls close in New York City mayors race. Abigail Spanberger elected governor of Virginia; races are also going on in New Jersey and California.
apnews.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:33 AM
AP calls NJ Gov. race for Dem. Mikie Sherrill apnews.com/live/2025-el...
Reposted by Brian Klein
BREAKING: Democrat Corey O’Connor is elected Pittsburgh mayor, defeating Republican Tony Moreno.
Follow AP for live updates.
Follow AP for live updates.
Live updates: US voters head to the polls in first general election since Trump's return to power
One year after Donald Trump retook the presidency, 2025 Election Day includes closely watched races for New York City mayor, New Jersey governor and California's Proposition 50.
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 1:35 AM
BREAKING: Democrat Corey O’Connor is elected Pittsburgh mayor, defeating Republican Tony Moreno.
Follow AP for live updates.
Follow AP for live updates.
Reposted by Brian Klein
BREAKING: Democrat Abigail Spanberger has won the Virginia governor’s race, defeating Republican Winsome Earle-Sears and becoming the state's first female governor.
Virginia governor’s race will test Trump and Democrats nationally — and make history
Democrat Abigail Spanberger is facing Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in the Virginia race for governor.
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 1:05 AM
BREAKING: Democrat Abigail Spanberger has won the Virginia governor’s race, defeating Republican Winsome Earle-Sears and becoming the state's first female governor.
Reposted by Brian Klein
BREAKING: Democrat Aftab Pureval wins Cincinnati mayoral election over Cory Bowman, half-brother of Vice President JD Vance.
Follow AP for live updates.
Follow AP for live updates.
Live updates: US voters head to the polls in first general election since Trump's return to power
One year after Donald Trump retook the presidency, 2025 Election Day includes closely watched races for New York City mayor, New Jersey governor and California's Proposition 50.
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 1:19 AM
BREAKING: Democrat Aftab Pureval wins Cincinnati mayoral election over Cory Bowman, half-brother of Vice President JD Vance.
Follow AP for live updates.
Follow AP for live updates.
I've got a feeling . . . tonight's gonna be a good night.
November 5, 2025 at 1:26 AM
I've got a feeling . . . tonight's gonna be a good night.
Falling factory numbers do not bode well for China’s production-oriented economy. Yet another reason why economic engines need more than one cylinder (e.g. domestic consumer demand). www.ft.com/content/85db...
China’s factory activity contracts for seventh straight month
Beijing fears weak domestic demand and aggressive competition among producers is driving deflation
www.ft.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Falling factory numbers do not bode well for China’s production-oriented economy. Yet another reason why economic engines need more than one cylinder (e.g. domestic consumer demand). www.ft.com/content/85db...
Reposted by Brian Klein
"I recently converted my Little Free Library to a food pantry in light of my neighbors, many of whom are already furloughed federal workers, losing their federal food assistance money. Our neighborhood came through beautifully and reminded me that there is power in community care." -Ravenna R.
October 31, 2025 at 5:19 PM
"I recently converted my Little Free Library to a food pantry in light of my neighbors, many of whom are already furloughed federal workers, losing their federal food assistance money. Our neighborhood came through beautifully and reminded me that there is power in community care." -Ravenna R.
If hypocrisy were a crime . . .
Johnson: "Grijalva should be working for her constituents right now. I don't know what she's doing. I keep seeing their political stunt videos. She should be in her office. She should be working or in the district for her constituents" (Grijalva is not in fact a Rep. b/c Johnson refuses to seat her)
November 2, 2025 at 1:16 AM
If hypocrisy were a crime . . .
Serious question -- if AI performs as intended and guts middle class jobs, then who is going to be able to afford anything in this AI economy of the future?
Tech companies are spending hundreds of billions of dollars a year on AI with little to show, and are now turning to complex financial vehicles to sustain their spending. Matteo Wong and Charlie Warzel on how it could all come crashing down:
Here’s How the AI Crash Happens
The U.S. is becoming an Nvidia-state.
bit.ly
October 30, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Serious question -- if AI performs as intended and guts middle class jobs, then who is going to be able to afford anything in this AI economy of the future?
Doesn't the fact that 42 million U.S. citizens rely on critical food assistance from the federal government show there's something fundamentally wrong with this economy?
October 30, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Doesn't the fact that 42 million U.S. citizens rely on critical food assistance from the federal government show there's something fundamentally wrong with this economy?