Uploaded October 2023 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg continue their analysis of the Israel-Gaza war, against the backdrop of shifting geopolitical power, increasing conflicts, and the end of Pax Americana. Daffy is offering Econ 102 listeners a free $25 for the charity of their choice when they join: daffy.org/econ102
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Sponsors: DAFFY | NETSUITE
Daffy is the most modern and accessible donor-advised fund, making it easier to put money aside for charity. You can make your tax-deductible contributions all at once or set aside a little each week or month. And you don't just have to donate cash, you can easily contribute stocks, ETFs, or crypto. Plus, you never have to track receipts from your donations again. It’s free to get started and Econ 102 listeners get $25 towards the charity of their choice. Daffy is offering Econ 102 listeners a free $25 for the charity of their choice when they join Daffy daffy.org/econ102
NetSuite has 25 years of providing financial software for all your business needs. More than 36,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you’re looking for an ERP platform head to NetSuite ✅ netsuite.com/102 and download your own customized KPI checklist.
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Econ 102 is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. To learn more: turpentine.co
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LINKS:
- Noah Smith, We’re Not Ready For the Big One https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/were-not-ready-for-the-big-one
- Noah Smith, Why I think an Invasion of Taiwan Probably Means WWIII https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/why-i-think-an-invasion-of-taiwan
- Tanner Greer, Why Losing Taiwan Means Losing Japan
scholars-stage.org/losing-taiwan-means-losing-japan
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X / TWITTER:
@noahpinion (Noah)
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Episode Preview
(01:50) Commentary on the Israel-Hamas war
(03:41) The idea that wars end
(07:34) The US has lost its unipolar moment
(09:12) Should Israel double Gaza’s GDP to prevent violence?
(15:05) Rich and aggressive?
(19:50) Sponsors: Daffy and NetSuite
(22:02) Collapse of Pax Americana means countries feel safer declaring war
(22:59) Hotspots for conflict: Azerbaijan and Armenia, Serbia and Kosovo
(25:52) If China attacks Taiwan, what happens
(29:32) How should international companies get ready?
(31:12) Auditing supply chain
(33:50) Recap of the tension between Taiwan and China
(35:14) Strategic Ambiguity
(38:11) Other key players in the Taiwan-China conflict
(47:10) The Europeanization of the Ukraine war
(50:17) We have nukes in Germany
(51:03) Comparing Obama/Trump/Biden policies
(53:37) What we’re actually doing vs the illusion of what we’re doing with Iran
(54:26) How should the government get ready?
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Music Licenses:
QNTUKCJA8EYSMZDQ
YHZMQG1HYPIESYIY
Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg continue their analysis of the Israel-Gaza war, against the backdrop of shifting geopolitical power, increasing conflicts, and the end of Pax Americana. Daffy is offering Econ 102 listeners a free $25 for the charity of their choice when they join: daffy.org/econ102
--
Sponsors: DAFFY | NETSUITE
Daffy is the most modern and accessible donor-advised fund, making it easier to put money aside for charity. You can make your tax-deductible contributions all at once or set aside a little each week or month. And you don't just have to donate cash, you can easily contribute stocks, ETFs, or crypto. Plus, you never have to track receipts from your donations again. It’s free to get started and Econ 102 listeners get $25 towards the charity of their choice. Daffy is offering Econ 102 listeners a free $25 for the charity of their choice when they join Daffy daffy.org/econ102
NetSuite has 25 years of providing financial software for all your business needs. More than 36,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you’re looking for an ERP platform head to NetSuite ✅ netsuite.com/102 and download your own customized KPI checklist.
--
Econ 102 is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. To learn more: turpentine.co
--
LINKS:
- Noah Smith, We’re Not Ready For the Big One https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/were-not-ready-for-the-big-one
- Noah Smith, Why I think an Invasion of Taiwan Probably Means WWIII https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/why-i-think-an-invasion-of-taiwan
- Tanner Greer, Why Losing Taiwan Means Losing Japan
scholars-stage.org/losing-taiwan-means-losing-japan
–
X / TWITTER:
@noahpinion (Noah)
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
–
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Episode Preview
(01:50) Commentary on the Israel-Hamas war
(03:41) The idea that wars end
(07:34) The US has lost its unipolar moment
(09:12) Should Israel double Gaza’s GDP to prevent violence?
(15:05) Rich and aggressive?
(19:50) Sponsors: Daffy and NetSuite
(22:02) Collapse of Pax Americana means countries feel safer declaring war
(22:59) Hotspots for conflict: Azerbaijan and Armenia, Serbia and Kosovo
(25:52) If China attacks Taiwan, what happens
(29:32) How should international companies get ready?
(31:12) Auditing supply chain
(33:50) Recap of the tension between Taiwan and China
(35:14) Strategic Ambiguity
(38:11) Other key players in the Taiwan-China conflict
(47:10) The Europeanization of the Ukraine war
(50:17) We have nukes in Germany
(51:03) Comparing Obama/Trump/Biden policies
(53:37) What we’re actually doing vs the illusion of what we’re doing with Iran
(54:26) How should the government get ready?
–
Music Licenses:
QNTUKCJA8EYSMZDQ
YHZMQG1HYPIESYIY
![Analyzing Economies [Round 3]: Middle East, Africa, South America, and North America](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/c1dsY_topMc/mqdefault.jpg "Analyzing Economies [Round 3]: Middle East, Africa, South America, and North America
This episode is a continuation of the series analyzing the economies around the world, with Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg. Todays installment focuses on the Middle East, Africa, South America, and North America. They discuss the economic challenges and solutions in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, as well as Latin America’s drug problem and Canada’s economic stagnation.
This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.
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SEND US YOUR Qs FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
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Links:
Noah Smiths Noahpinion https://www.noahpinion.blog
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X / TWITTER:
@noahpinion (Noah)
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:32) Egypts economic challenges
(05:25) How rich is Saudi Arabia
(13:57) Sponsor: Turpentine
(15:13) Africa’s population growth and demographic dynamics
(32:49) Africa’s economic potential
(38:58) Mexicos manufacturing and security woes
(43:48) Brazils potential in South American manufacturing
(48:01) Latin Americas fight against inequality
(55:12) Dominican Republics economic success
(01:00:51) Canadas economic stagnation
(01:05:33) Wrap
Music license:
#2850")
![How the Fed Works, Currency Crises, and TikTok ban [Listener Mailbag]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/d7ZpZQVUAks/mqdefault.jpg "How the Fed Works, Currency Crises, and TikTok ban [Listener Mailbag]
In todays episode of Econ 102, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg tackle more listener questions: the Feds impact on inflation and the economy, theories behind interest rates unexpected effects, and greedflation. The discussion also extends to shifts in Japans economic policies amid currency valuation concerns, housing price disparities between the US and Canada, gentrification, balanced budget amendments, and the geopolitical dynamics between Saudi Arabia and Iran, finishing with thoughts on TikTok. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions. Keep em coming: Econ102@turpentine.co
Recommended Podcast: @CompanyBreakdownsTurpentine
Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episodes are on Reddit and Rubrik - which just IPOd.
SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | WARP | HARMONIC
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SEND US YOUR Qs FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
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LINKS:
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:35) Demystifying the Federal Reserve
(04:11) Greedflation and the role of corporate pricing in inflation
(08:03) Central banks vs. Market-based interest rates
(11:49) Nominal GDP targeting
(17:36) Sponsor: Beehiiv and Warp
(19:41) Canada’s housing market explained
(23:11) YIMBY policies and gentrification
(27:43) Sponsor: Harmonic
(28:49) Keynesianism and deficit management
(31:55) Exploring political influence on economic choices
(34:58) Choosing allies in the Middle East
(35:46) Navigating currency crises in Japan
(45:12) The future of TikTok and digital strategy
(46:26) Wrap")
