Forbes: Iran's Futile Gesture Mirrors Venezuela's Economic Idiocy

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Iran's leaders seem to have contracted a case of economic idiocy.

Let's hope it's not infectious.

Mid-April, the Islamic Republic announced it would start to denominate its holdings of official assets in euros instead of U.S. dollars.

The news comes during a period of fast-deteriorating diplomatic relations between Tehran and Washington, which makes the currency denomination change look like a way for the Iranian leadership to snub the U.S.

Unfortunately, for people of Iran, the decision would seem to be both futile in the near term and one that would auger yet more pain for the already beleaguered economy in the future. Read more here.

Mentioned in the Press: The Columbian

In Our View: Trump Trips on Trade

Read more here.

Forbes: Finally, A Boss Gets The Message On Social Media

By SIMON CONSTABLE

A captain of industry in Britain has done something both smart and courageous.

He has decided to shutter the company's social media accounts for all of its hundreds of outlets. It is something that other business leaders should consider doing too! Read more here.

P.J. Media: Oxycontin Tweak Helped Turn Addicts to Heroin

By SIMON CONSTABLE

 Lawmakers trying to combat the epidemic of opioid addiction might want to take note of the law of unintended consequences.

It can lead to the most unfortunate results.

A case in point is getting prescription painkillers off the streets might not have the effect of reducing addiction deaths. It might instead merely move the problem. At least that's the finding of some recently published research from the National Bureau of Economic Research. Read more here.

Barron's: Oil Prices Haven’t Peaked Yet

By SIMON CONSTABLE

They Said What? Read more here.

PJ Media: Food Stamp Cuts Would Bite Into States That Voted for Trump

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Republicans may have a problem taking a bite out of the food stamp program.

The matter comes down to two things. First, the states with the highest portion of food stamp recipients overwhelmingly voted for the GOP in the last election. Second, any cuts to the program will no doubt be portrayed by Democrats as “hating everyone.”

While it may be possible to streamline the program, those in Congress will need to navigate a complicated political minefield. Read more here.

Forbes: Don't Conflate Tariffs With Sanctions, They're Quite Different

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Not even close. To think so, would be to equate legal products such as beer with illicit drugs such as heroin.

Neither does the increase in some tariffs mean we are in a trade war. To think that, then you'd have to believe a lover's tiff is equivalent to dropping 1,000 tons of napalm on a village. It isn't of course. Read more here.