3 chapters across the catalog
The Treasury Department recently lifted sanctions on Iranian oil stored on tankers, a move critics say provides Iran with $14 billion in revenue. Officials argue this "jujitsus" the Iranians by allowing the US a better "line of sight" to block accounts when the oil is sold to countries like Japan or Korea. However, oil sold to China is often "recycled" or used directly, making it harder for the US to track or block the funds.
A playback and critique of a 2006 NPR interview where then-Senator Joe Biden explains his plan for a federated Iraq. Biden discusses using oil revenue as an incentive for Sunnis to buy into a decentralized government, drawing parallels to the Dayton Accords in the Balkans.
Scottish Independence Referendum and UK Economy
A buried story in the New York Times regarding a Scottish referendum for independence is brought to light. The hosts discuss the potential economic impact of Scotland breaking away from the UK, noting that Scotland contributes significantly more to the British economy than is commonly reported, particularly through oil revenue.
