- Social:
Rhodium Group
Partner at the Rhodium Group, a New York-based economic advisory firm and Visiting fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics; former senior advisor to the State Department's Special Envoy on Climate Change
PROFILE
Trevor Houser
Guest
FROM Trevor Houser
Which Way, L.A.?
Tensions Escalate as Iran Threatens to Close Strait of Hormuz The US has warned Iran that it will not tolerate interference with the Strait of Hormuz. Only 34 miles wide, 40 percent of the world's tanker-borne oil passes through it. Closure of the strait would wreak havoc on global oil markets. Angry over the threat of new sanctions, Iranian leaders have upped their rhetoric in recent days, claiming that closing the waterway would be as easy as drinking a glass of water. With pressure growing again on Iran over its nuclear program, amid warnings of new sanctions, what's the agenda being pursued by Iranian leaders? How is the oil market responding? Is this a serious sign of increasing tensions in the region?
To the Point
Tensions Escalate as Iran Threatens to Close Strait of Hormuz The US has warned Iran that it will not tolerate interference with the Strait of Hormuz. Only 34 miles wide, 40 percent of the world's tanker-borne oil passes through it. Closure of the strait would wreak havoc on global oil markets. Angry over the threat of new sanctions, Iranian leaders have upped their rhetoric in recent days, claiming that closing the waterway would be as easy as drinking a glass of water. With pressure growing again on Iran over its nuclear program, amid warnings of new sanctions, what's the agenda being pursued by Iranian leaders? How is the oil market responding? Is this a serious sign of increasing tensions in the region?
Which Way, L.A.?
China Overtakes US in Energy Consumption Ten years ago, China consumed half as much energy as the United States. Now, after economic development at breakneck speed, China is the world’s largest consumer of oil, gas, coal, nuclear power and renewables.
To the Point
China Overtakes US in Energy Consumption China has now become the world's biggest consumer of energy. Because of the recession, it overcame the US five years sooner than anybody expected. That means more competition for limited resources, more clout for countries the US doesn't like, and, in the short run, more environmental pollution. What will it mean for green technology, especially if the US continues to lead the way in research while China does the manufacturing? We look at the vast implications of what's being called "a new age in the history of energy."
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To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.