The San Francisco Experience

Clay Small's second novel is an intricate crime story with the themes of art forgery, revenge and redemption featuring prominently in the plot. And notorious Dutch forger who copied Dutch masterpieces of Old Master Vermeer, Han Van Meegeren,  plays a central role.

In the closing days of Campaign 2022, polls remain very close in four key Senate races which will determine which party controls the Upper House.  The House of Representatives appears to be on track to gain a Republican majority. Inflation, gas prices, sliding 401K values,  rising mortgage rates and crime seem to be top of voters' minds. The Democrats are trying to shift the narrative to the January 6th and Democracy in the closing days but with limited success. 

Saudi Arabia announced oil production cuts at the OPEC meeting in October by 2million barrels daily or 2% of global production. President Biden had asked the Kingdom's leadership to increase production in July. The Saudi move seemed to favor Russia and work against Western economic sanctions against Russia's Ukraine war. Why did they do it and what do they have to gain ? Professor  Nicholas Grossman explains what is at play with this key US ally.

Rishi Sunak, 42 became Britain's youngest Prime Minister in 200 years. Born in Southampton of immigrant parents, he is the first Prime Minister of Asian descent. But he takes over amidst the financial turmoil of the Liz Truss government, Covid recovery , soaring energy prices and  lingering Brexit economic uncertainty. Professor Jonathan Hopkin profiles Rishi Sunak and the challenges facing his new administration.

Elon Musk has said he is overpaying for Twitter at $44 billion. The deal must close by Friday night, October 28, to avoid a trial in Delaware's Chancery Court. How did he get trapped in this morass ? Bill Cohan walks us through the missteps that have led up to this point.

Critically acclaimed author Liz Nugent talks about her body of work in the Emerald Noir subgenre and shares with us a preview of her upcoming book, "Strange Sally Diamond"

Ana de Armas plays Marilyn Monroe in the screen adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates novel, "Blonde". Described by Oates as a fantasy or even fairytale , Blonde is a fictional and at times brutal take on events in the Hollywood star's life. It is a study of American celebrity as personified by Marilyn Monroe.

Created by President Eisenhower in 1956, SCI fosters people to people contacts and programs between Americans and the global community. American soft diplomatic power and influence, cultural, educational, technical and professional, is a key part of US foreign policy. Bill Boerum shares with us his perspective and impressions from attending three  international conferences in his role as a citizen diplomat in Peru, Italy and Mexico in the last six weeks.

The 2022 Nobel Prize for Economics was awarded to Ben Bernanke, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank, Douglas Diamond,  University of Chicago and Philip Dybvig, Washington University in St. Louis. All three and their research played a pivotal role in successfully navigating the 2008-2009 Financial Crisis. Professor Chincarini shares his commentary.

President Biden announced a blanket pardon for Americans federally charged with minor drug possession. Is this a turning point ?