Senior economics writer for The Christian Science Monitor
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Laurent Belsie
Jensen Huang is out at Nvidia. China’s quest for American AI isn’t over.
Nov. 12, 2026, 8:23 p.m. ET | 6 min read It has all the makings of a spy thriller: The CEO of a leading AI chipmaker has an affair with a businesswoman suspected by U.S. intelligence of working for China, raising suspicions that Beijing used the relationship to gather intelligence and influence U.S. policy on artificial intelligence. Those are the broad outlines of news reports leading up to the sudden departure of CEO Jensen Huang from Nvidia, the tech giant he co-founded.
America’s farmers are harvesting a bounty. Why are they struggling?
America’s farmers are bringing in a plentiful harvest. What many aren’t bringing in is much profit. As the 2026 harvest winds down, rising production costs and inadequate crop prices are eating into farmers’ income, particularly among Midwest corn and soybean growers, even with a potential record in government subsidies.
AI is rewriting the rules of cybersecurity. Who has the advantage?
Oct. 30, 2026, 3:06 p.m. ET | 5 min read Late Thursday afternoon, suspected North Korean hackers pulled off the largest cryptocurrency heist in history. After breaching a single account at the giant crypto firm Binance and draining $2.5 billion, the hackers compromised 10 other accounts within a 12-minute window. In all, they stole $6.3 billion, according to Binance. It could have been worse.
M is for Musk, and money: One big donor towers over 2026
Oct. 21, 2026, 5:00 a.m. ET | 4 min read This summer, the world’s first trillionaire and this year’s biggest campaign donor was asked about his inordinate economic and political sway in the United States. “Is this different from the past?” Elon Musk answered during an interview with Britain-based The Economist.
How soaring bond yields pressure big economies like the US, France
Oct. 13, 2026, 3:55 p.m. ET | 4 min read Even boring old bonds can get exciting sometimes. Since July, they’ve been especially feisty. Interest rates on the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond have jumped a full percentage point to levels not seen in more than 20 years. That quick rise in interest costs is now reverberating throughout the global economy. In the United States, it is pushing up interest rates on everything from mortgages to small business loans.
Some AI safety advocates are calling for an AI kill switch. Would it work?
Oct. 13, 2026, 5:00 a.m. ET | 5 min read A century ago, transportation manufacturers came up with a simple idea: Install a switch to kill the motor before an airplane overshoots the runway or a conductor loses control of a streetcar. Now, U.S. policymakers are pushing the same idea for artificial intelligence. This time, however, an AI kill switch might prove far more complicated. The challenges are numerous.
Some AI safety advocates are calling for an AI kill switch. Would it work?
A century ago, transportation manufacturers came up with a simple idea: Install a switch to kill the motor before an airplane overshoots the runway or a conductor loses control of a streetcar. Now, U.S. policymakers are pushing the same idea for artificial intelligence. This time, however, an AI kill switch might prove far more complicated. The challenges are numerous.
As AI agents multiply, report finds big gaps in controlling what they do
Oct. 07, 2026, 11:37 a.m. ET | 4 min read The backlash against artificial intelligence keeps gaining momentum. What started as vague worries about AI-driven job losses a year ago has morphed into widespread protests against data centers and mounting evidence that cutting-edge AI software, known as agents, poses significant risks. Everyone from former AI company employees to Pope Leo XIV has weighed in. Even AI company heads have called for regulations to create safeguards.
Trump has prioritized oil and minerals. Lower prices haven’t followed.
President Donald Trump promised to ramp up natural resource drilling and mining as a way to create jobs and cut Americans’ energy bills. His administration has acted on the pledge, but the results have mostly fallen short – in some cases because of other administration policies that undercut attempts to lower energy costs. It’s now easier for natural resource companies to lease federal land and get drilling permits.
Job growth rebounds in August, opening door for Fed to act on inflation
The United States added 162,000 jobs in August, more than double what a consensus of economists had expected, bolstering confidence that the economy remains on solid footing. The strong employment report gives added support to the Federal Reserve’s view that it can focus on fighting inflation without having to worry too much about economic growth. Reducing inflation is likely to involve raising short-term interest rates.
Where to next on interest rates? Warsh, Bessent point in opposite directions.
After weeks of being criticized for a lack of clarity, Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh showed his hand, at least a bit, to an uneasy bond market that he is trying to reform. In his first major policy speech, Mr. Warsh said Friday that the labor side of the economy was reasonably strong but that inflation had not yet been tamed. He laid out many of the signals he pays attention to. But he left it to markets to translate.
Trump tests the limits of economic leverage against foe – and friend
America has long used its economic heft to get its way in international affairs. But never quite like this. In a single day, the Trump administration threatened additional tariffs on Canada, America’s second-largest trading partner, after trade talks failed, and then unveiled a new round of sanctions on Iran. The Iran sanctions illustrate the continuity of this administration’s policies with those of previous administrations.
AI is making daily life more expensive, at least for now. Here’s why.
TRUTH Social 12 hours ago Lawsuit against Trump alleges sale of faster access to his Truth Social posts is 'profoundly corrupt' Business Insider - Natalie Musumeci • 12h President Donald Trump was sued Wednesday over a new service for his social media platform, Truth Social, that charges subscribers up to $100,000 a month for faster access to his posts and those of other prominent users.
AI is making daily life more expensive, at least for now. Here’s why.
Call it the artificial intelligence paradox: AI is supposed to make goods and services cheaper in the long run, but right now, it’s making them more expensive. The headlong rush by companies to lead the AI revolution is increasing demand for everything from computer chips to software to electricity, pushing prices higher. If the boom continues, inflation could continue to rise, frustrating central bankers’ efforts to rein it in.
AI is making daily life more expensive, at least for now. Here’s why.
Call it the artificial intelligence paradox: AI is supposed to make goods and services cheaper in the long run, but right now, it’s making them more expensive. The headlong rush by companies to lead the AI revolution is increasing demand for everything from computer chips to software to electricity, pushing prices higher. If the boom continues, inflation could continue to rise, frustrating central bankers’ efforts to rein it in.
The US lost jobs in July. Here’s why unemployment didn’t rise.
It’s a topsy-turvy labor market these days. In July, the economy lost jobs, but unemployment actually improved. Get used to the new dynamic, many analysts say. The workforce isn’t growing by much. It might even be shrinking, partly because of a plunge in immigration. That means that the United States could create only a few jobs or even lose jobs in any given month and the unemployment rate would remain stable.
As advanced AI models go rogue, the Trump administration steps in
The Trump administration is pivoting away from its hands-off approach to artificial intelligence, as it faces white-hot tech competition from China and disturbing reports of AI models going rogue. Instead, the White House is trying to strike a balance between open competition and rising national security concerns that AI developers might no longer fully control their smartest models.
The US needs more electricity. Can the grid deliver?
In many ways, America’s bureaucracy-laden electric grid has been like an old farm wagon – slow-moving, showing its age, and still operating under the assumption that electric demand grows slowly and consistently. Now, industry and government want to hook that wagon up to a Ferrari. The artificial intelligence industry is building power-hungry data centers across the country in a race to keep ahead of surging AI demand.
College grads face a global squeeze on entry-level jobs
On a hot Sunday afternoon in London’s Hyde Park, Jack Fearnley-Whittingstall, from Reading, said he has been job hunting for three months since being laid off from his retail post. The struggle is wearing and has given him a new appreciation for the tough job market for young people. “I feel like we’re quite in a low,” he says. Why We Wrote This The slowdown in hiring in many developed nations has left young people struggling to find work.
Trump moves to rebuild tariff wall. Will the results be different?
For all the political sound and fury around them, America’s tariffs have produced only modest economic effects. Yes, they have lowered growth, raised prices, and stoked inflation. Yes, they have flooded government coffers with new revenue. The administration remains committed to this strategy, signaling permanent replacements for expiring temporary tariffs and announcing new ones on Canada and Brazil as it moves to rebuild its tariff wall.
50 years later, a bicentennial class reflects on a divided, yet hopeful, America
Maybe it was the heat, which scotched some celebrations. Or the divisive political rhetoric. Or the setup itself: a congressional commemorative commission clashing with the president’s Freedom 250 group. For whatever reason, America celebrated its 250th birthday with far less sustained verve than its 200th. As soon as the fireworks ended, the nation’s focus snapped back to the war with Iran, the upcoming midterm elections, and World Cup soccer. Or so it seemed to me. Is America losing its patriotism?
Inflation fell in June as Iran war receded. Now, it might roar back.
A dramatic fall in inflation in the United States gave a glimpse into a brighter future where the Iran war ends and the U.S. and the world economy reap the benefits. But the resumption of hostilities between the U.S. and Iran has put that future on hold and, instead, clouded the next few weeks with rising uncertainty. The big question at the heart of that uncertainty: Are the U.S. and Iran serious about ending the war?
Supreme Court expands presidential power – but keeps the Fed off-limits
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday issued two landmark decisions that protected one agency’s independence from the president while stripping that protection from roughly two dozen other executive branch agencies. Neither of the rulings in Trump v. Cook and Trump v. Slaughter surprised court-watchers, but both represent significant decisions in the context of President Donald Trump’s efforts to push the boundaries of presidential power.
Peace deal could buoy world economy, though oil prices are still uncertain
Markets rallied after President Donald Trump announced a peace agreement with Iran over the weekend. Stock prices rose. Oil prices fell. The U.S. and Israeli war against Iran, which dragged down economies around the world, now looks closer to a conclusion than at any time in its 3 1/2 months. But the full terms of the agreement have not been released. It’s set to be signed Friday in Switzerland. Markets are reflecting cautious optimism.
They can walk and talk. How soon will humanlike robots be working beside us?
Humanoid robots walk like people. Carry things like people. Even dance with moves that look human. But can they grow up to do real work on an industrial scale? That’s a question the robotics industry is struggling with as it looks to build a blue-collar workforce for the 21st century. Industry optimists point to a surge of interest from industry, faced with a potential labor shortage.
SpaceX set for world’s largest stock offering. Who will benefit?
Behind the landmark initial sale of SpaceX stock to the public lies a fairy-tale story about technology, riches, and corporate power. Starting this week, many investors are poised to buy into the promise that SpaceX founder Elon Musk will make it all come true.
Balancing act for new Fed chair: Taming inflation amid rate-cut pressures
As Kevin Warsh steps up to lead the world’s most powerful central bank as chair of the Federal Reserve, he faces two formidable forces: the dragon of inflation and pressure from President Donald Trump. It’s a stark choice. Taming inflation would mean keeping interest rates high, perhaps even raising them. Caving to the president would mean lowering rates. The consensus among market analysts is that Mr. Warsh, as the new Fed chair, will address the dragon and ignore the president.
In the race for AI supremacy, the US and China stake different paths
As President Donald Trump meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping this week in Beijing, the United States and China are locked in an intense competition to become the dominant player in the future of AI innovation. Analysts suggest that artificial intelligence is the most transformative general technology since electricity brought light and power to average American households during the 1920s.
Stocks might be soaring, but US economy is feeling Iran war shocks
The United States’ war with Iran is looking increasingly like a loss, economically speaking, no matter what happens next. Iran has shown that it can bottle up as much as one-fifth of the world’s oil with its control over the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. has so far proved itself unable or unwilling to open the waterway militarily. The result is perhaps the worst oil squeeze the world has ever seen, which has now rippled across many nations’ economies, causing rationing and shutdowns.
Congress eyes action on prediction markets amid corruption concerns
Fast-growing prediction markets, where people bet on everything from elections to sports, are facing a regulatory reckoning. This form of gambling can be valuable, studies suggest, because it offers real-time, crowd-sourced insights that can help policymakers, central bankers, CEOs, and others make more informed decisions.
‘It’s a lot for me’: Inside the challenge of soaring food costs
Not all that long ago, food shopping was one of Joei Chan’s mindless chores. She didn’t think about which grocery had the best prices on bananas or bread, whether to wait until items on her shopping list were on sale, or whether there might be a coupon for yogurt.
‘It’s a lot for me’: Inside the challenge of soaring food costs
9 Ways to Improve Your Soil for Stronger, More Productive Tomatoes The best soil for tomatoes provides all the nutrients and water your plants need to thrive. The best harvest for tomatoes starts with providing the …
Despite tariffs, global trade keeps growing – just with new partners
The ingredients for deglobalization are all there: rising tariffs, growing wariness of reliance on other nations for key goods, and the world’s top two economies weaponizing international commerce. And yet, world trade is proving remarkably resilient. One year after President Donald Trump announced a raft of tariffs on a slew of countries intended to “free” the United States from dependence on foreign goods, using the moniker “Liberation Day,’’ global trade continues to expand and set records.
Should Spirit Airlines get a bailout? Trump’s move sparks Republican criticism.
In a highly unusual move to shield a company from high fuel prices caused by its war on Iran, the Trump administration is negotiating a bailout for troubled Spirit Airlines. President Donald Trump’s effort to buoy an airline in its second bankruptcy has drawn both criticism from the right and skepticism from within his own administration.
Fed nominee faces Senate questions over his wealth, pressure from Trump
In a sometimes fiery confirmation hearing on Tuesday, the man nominated to head the world’s most important central bank walked a tightrope, addressing issues that ranged from his independence from President Donald Trump to his considerable personal financial holdings.
Anthropic’s new Mythos AI tool signals a new era for cyber risks and responses
When Anthropic detected last September that someone was using its artificial intelligence software in a highly sophisticated spy campaign, the company began investigating. What stood out about this cyberattack was how much the hackers, who Anthropic says were probably Chinese-sponsored, relied on AI. Rather than advising the attackers, the company discovered, the AI technology actually carried out much of the attack itself.
Energy dominance? Trump’s strategy hits a wall in Iran.
In Venezuela, President Donald Trump showed the potential of his energy dominance strategy. In Iran, he has run into its limitations. The key flaw: While the United States is safe from the threat of an oil cutoff, it is not insulated from the sharp rise in oil prices. As a result of the war with Iran, gasoline prices have skyrocketed for U.S. consumers. A gallon of regular unleaded gas, which cost $2.98 a gallon on the eve of the war, now costs $4.14, according to AAA.
From liberation to limbo: A year after ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, what difference have they made?
On the first anniversary of President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day,” consumers are spending more for goods, economic growth and job growth are expected to slow, and government revenue has been pouring in. The past year has been full of twists and turns as the administration negotiated tariff rates with dozens of nations.
With Iran war squeezing global energy, nations look to nuclear and renewables
The war in Iran is not only boosting the price of oil and natural gas, but it’s also causing energy-short nations to rethink their energy strategies and focus on homegrown alternatives. As a stopgap solution, some nations are turning to coal. But the bigger potential winners are green technologies and nuclear power. Nations are taking different paths: Already a nuclear-power heavyweight, France is boosting its nuclear power generation and exports.
US postpones strikes on Iran, but a global energy crisis is deepening
18 hours ago Iran parliament speaker says US president using idea of talks to ‘escape quagmire in which US and Israel are trapped’. Senior Iranian officials have denied that Iran held talks with the United States, just hours after US President Donald Trump claimed “very good and productive conversations” had …
US postpones strikes on Iran, but a global energy crisis is deepening
As President Donald Trump dangles the prospect of either escalating the war with Iran or negotiating a quick end to it, consumers globally are feeling the pinch directly in the pocketbook. Oil prices have soared, and subsequently, so have the prices of everything from gasoline at the pump to cooking oil in developing nations to fertilizer for farmers around the world.
Fed keeps interest rates on hold, cautious about the war, jobs, and oil prices
Presidents love interest rate cuts. They help economies grow. But some of President Donald Trump’s signature policies are making such cuts less likely. The tariffs that dominated the first year of the president’s second term raised prices. Now, his nearly three-week war with Iran has sent the price of oil – not to mention that of natural gas and petroleum-based fertilizer – soaring. So, it came as no surprise on Wednesday when the Federal Reserve announced it was keeping interest rates steady.
How to open the Strait of Hormuz? It’s hard – and the world is waiting.
The battle over control of the world’s oil – and oil prices – has begun in earnest. On one side, Iran has stepped up its attacks on shipping in and around the Persian Gulf, in a bid to make oil as expensive as possible for Western consumers. On Thursday, the price of Brent crude briefly topped $100 a barrel after two oil tankers were hit off the coast of Iraq and at least three cargo ships were attacked near Iran’s coast.
Will war end soon? Oil prices and stocks swing with the shifting signals.
President Donald Trump has injected plenty of uncertainty into the world economy with his trade policies and tariffs, interventions in Venezuela, and withdrawal from major global institutions. But his war on Iran might prove to be his biggest jolt yet to financial markets. As the war entered its second week, with no end in sight, and Iran standing firm against the U.S. and Israeli bombing campaign, oil prices soared, and stock indexes fell in much of the world.
US lost 92,000 jobs in February, prior to war-related oil price surge
The U.S. economy lost 92,000 jobs in February, surprising many economists who had expected job gains for the month. Friday’s Labor Department report also cut January’s unexpectedly strong gain by 4,000 and revised downward its December figures from a gain to a loss. The unemployment rate edged up from 4.3% to 4.4%. In all, the economy averaged an 11,300 monthly job gain over the three months from December to February.
TSA workers brace for missed paychecks as shutdown and war tensions mount
Just as the FBI and Department of Homeland Security are bracing for possible terrorist attacks on the United States, federal security officers at the nation’s airports are working without pay. Again. The shutdown of DHS funding last month, because of an impasse in Congress over the Trump administration’s immigration policies, is beginning to take its toll on unrelated agencies within the sprawling department, including the nearly 65,000 employees of the Transportation Security Administration.
The Strait of Hormuz: How Iran conflict affects oil tankers - and prices
Half the length of the Chesapeake Bay, the Strait of Hormuz has become the world’s most closely watched waterway in recent days. Bordered by multiple oil-producing nations, it is one of the most vulnerable chokepoints in the energy trade. Military strikes by the United States and Israel have caused Iran to effectively close the strait to shipping, which generally is governed by international maritime law. If it remains closed, oil and gas prices are almost certain to surge globally.
The Strait of Hormuz: How Iran conflict affects oil tankers – and prices | Flipboard
16 hours ago The US secretary of state says he hopes Iranian people will overthrow the regime, as US military says six service members killed. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has suggested that a planned Israeli attack on Iran determined the timing of Washington’s assault on the government in Tehran. The top …
Stocks drop, oil prices surge as Iran conflict hits global markets
The market response to the United States’ and Israel’s military strikes against Iran has been global and almost universally negative. Stocks began slumping as early as Friday in a “risk-off” response as word of impending action spread. By Monday, major indexes in Asia and Europe were off by nearly 1% or more, relative to Friday's close. Oil prices rose. The killing of the Middle Eastern nation’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, added extra uncertainty to the already volatile situation.
Trump’s new retirement plan builds on a bipartisan model
A federal match program for the retirement savings of low-income workers is gaining new momentum in the wake of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday. The idea for the new 401(k)-type plan, based on a Biden-era plan, is to jump-start saving among the estimated 50 million private-sector American workers who lack access to employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Laurent
Contact Laurent, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack