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Live updates: Strikes escalate across the Middle East as Iran attacks US Embassy in Saudi Arabia Across Iran’s capital, explosions rang out overnight as the U.S. and Israel pounded Iran with airstrikes. Iran and its allies have hit back against Israel and neighboring Gulf states.

Iran strikes are about to escalate even further. Trump says “The big scale hitting goes now.” apnews.com/live/iran-wa...

Iran: What Happens After the Bombing? [Updated] Diplomacy, democracy, or something else?

Here’s the latest assessment on the US war with Iran [paywall removed].

open.substack.com/pub/brianpkl...

Iran: What Happens After the Bombing? Diplomacy, democracy, or something else?

Iran: What Happens After the Bombing? Diplomacy, democracy, or something else? brianpklein.substack.com/p/iran-what-...

India Is the Big Winner in Trump’s Trade War The president’s tariffs have created new economic opportunity for India, Brian Klein writes in a guest commentary.

India, despite the many challenges to its recent trade agreements, is shaping up to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of Trump's trade war. My latest op-ed (paywall-free) for Barron's. www.barrons.com/articles/ind...

Trump says change in power in Iran 'would be the best thing that could happen' President Donald Trump says a change in power in Iran “would be the best thing that could happen” as the U.S. administration weighs whether to take military action against Tehran.

And more US-sponsored regime change is in the offing - this time Iran. So much for not getting involved in foreign entanglements, a campaign promise from not so long ago. apnews.com/article/trum...

In what world does this make sense and who benefits?

Retail sales flat in December from November, closing out year on a lackluster tone The report, issued by the Commerce Department on Tuesday, surprised economists who were looking for growth despite mounting concerns about a slowing job growth, uncertainty about President Donald Trum...

Remember a week or so ago when news reports touted strong consumer sales through December. Turns out gov’t numbers were delayed and they just dropped.

Consumer spending was actually flat. Go figure.

Not a surprise to readers of “A Closer Look” on Substack. www.pbs.org/newshour/eco...

Private payrolls rose by just 22,000 in January, far short of expectations, ADP says The U.S. labor market barely budged in January, with hiring below even muted expectations.

Jobs? What jobs? ADP new job numbers fail to impress coming in below expectations. www.cnbc.com/2026/02/04/a...

Which way is up? Conflicting signals muddy picture of U.S. economy

Is the U.S. economy on a tear or about to fall off a cliff? Every day seems to brings a new wave of conflicting numbers. Check out the latest quick take from A Closer Look.

open.substack.com/pub/brianpkl...

A Spiritual Anatomy Sublime aspects of the physical body

Can the body be a roadmap to the sublime? Latest musing on a spiritual instinct here. open.substack.com/pub/spiritua...

Greenland Crisis is a Sign of the Times Europe realizes security is increasingly in their own hands

Greenland crisis is a sign of the times. The old world order is out and U.S. allies will have to build their own defenses in an increasingly fractious world. The full quick take is here: open.substack.com/pub/brianpkl...

2025 among world's three hottest years on record, WMO says Last year was among the planet's three warmest on record, the World Meteorological Organization said on Wednesday, as EU scientists also confirmed average temperatures have now exceeded 1.5 degrees Ce...

Yes, it is getting hot out there. . . www.reuters.com/sustainabili...

Science vs. Spirit - A False Dichotomy Can the precision of the scientific method be applied to spiritual pursuits?

Can the precision of science be applied to spiritual pursuits? A few thoughts . . . open.substack.com/pub/spiritua...

Manufacturing index contracts, again, according to ISM. New orders, backlog, and employment contracting. Prices up. go.weareism.org/ism-manufact...

Regime Change is Back as U.S. Foreign Policy After Venezuela which country is next? Speculation has already begun.

Speculation has already begun on which country is next after Venezuela as the White House ramps up regime change policy. open.substack.com/pub/brianpkl...

Americans are more dissatisfied with Trump’s handling of the economy than ever, poll shows Fifty-seven percent of Americans disapprove of how Trump is handling the economy, according to the latest PBS News/NPR/Marist poll.

Americans give President Donald Trump his worst approval ratings ever for his handling of the economy, as they also express concerns about the cost of living, healthcare prices, and personal finances, according to the latest PBS News/NPR/Marist poll. https://to.pbs.org/49g3nwx

Americans Giving Fewer Gifts This Christmas as Trump Tariffs Bite

A survey found that almost half of shoppers expect to give fewer presents this year as a result of the president's trade policies.

Want to read more in 2026? Here's how to revive your love of books It's not too late to turn the page on old habits and start reading again in 2026. People often stop reading in adulthood because they're fatigued from school book assignments or just don't have the time.

It's not too late to turn the page on old habits and start reading again in 2026.

Hibernating Through the Holidays Why spending time alone can be a great tradition.

Some thoughts on the benefits of solo time at year's end. open.substack.com/pub/spiritua...

2025 Wrap-up: Geopolitics & Trade Out with the old and in with. . . the old.

Another 2025 wrap-up. This quick take is on geopolitics and trade. open.substack.com/pub/brianpkl...

Where are the preliminary Nielsen viewer data on last night's address to the nation?

High cost of goods is causing consumers to spend less for the holidays, CNBC survey finds The latest CNBC All-America Economic Survey found the high cost of goods has emerged as a major factor affecting how much shoppers spend and where they spend.

Another study, another sign that the economy is in serious trouble. www.cnbc.com/2025/12/15/i...

Economic Confidence Slips; Holiday Spending Plans Plummet Americans' economic confidence has fallen to its lowest level in over a year, accompanied by a historic drop in planned holiday spending.

The U.S. holiday shopping pullback has arrived, as predicted. Tariffs raised prices, which are being passed on to consumers. Buyers are now spending less.

For many retailers most of their annual sales come from holiday shoppers. Expect ripple effects into 2026. news.gallup.com/poll/699311/...

Now Playing - Your Inner Streaming Service There's always something on in the mental theater of the mind.

There’s always something playing on our inner streaming service. Latest thoughts here on what’s really worth paying attention to in the theater of the mind. spiritualinstinct.substack.com/p/now-playin...

Wrapping up 2025 - an Economic Review How you did this year may depend on where you started.

Wrapping up 2025 - how you did this year may depend on where you started. Economy is looking generally weak. Stock markets much better, for now. open.substack.com/pub/brianpkl...

The Consciousness Paradox Is experience just brain chemistry and electrical pulses or something more profound?

Something to ponder as the days grow short and the weather turns cold . . . Is consciousness in the brain or beyond it? open.substack.com/pub/spiritua...

Writers Beware As if it wasn't hard enough to make a creative living

Writers beware. There’s a new threat to making a living. open.substack.com/pub/brianpkl...

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.

A sober look at the US economy and signs of recession. www.businessinsider.com/recession-si...